Latest news with #TitusWelliver
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prime Video's latest No. 1 show is a 'Bosch' spinoff with Maggie Q — and it's 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. "Bosch" fans, rejoice: it sounds like Prime Video's follow-up is going to continue the series' legacy as a compelling crime drama. On July 9, the Amazon streaming service dropped the full first season of "Ballard," a new spin-off that shifts focus from Titus Welliver's Harry Bosch over to Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), the detective introduced in April's "Bosch: Legacy" series finale. One day after release, the show had risen to the No. 2 spot on the Amazon streamer (putting it second only to the lackluster action thriller, "Countdown"), but in the few days since, "Ballard" has become the streamer's top watch. Plus, "Ballard" has continued to hold onto that impressive 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning reviewers who've tuned in have liked what they saw. Ready to dive in? You can stream all 10 episodes of "Ballard" on Prime Video right now, or you can find a little more info — and hear what critics have to say — about Prime's newest release below. What is 'Ballard' about? If you're not up to speed, "Ballard" is Prime Video's next series based on Michael Connelly's books. Here, we follow Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who is charged with leading the LAPD's underfunded cold case division and taking on some of Los Angeles' toughest long-forgotten cases. Per the series synopsis, we know the series sees her investigating layers of crime that go back decades, including a serial killer's string of murders; as she does so, Ballard unearths a deadly conspiracy within the force, and enlists the help of her team and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) to crack her cases, navigating personal and professional challenges along the way. In addition to Q and Welliver, "Ballard" also features Courtney Taylor, John Carroll Lynch, Michael Mosley, Rebecca Field, Victoria Moroles, Amy Hill, Ricardo Chavira, Noah Bean, and more. Should you stream 'Ballard' on Prime Video? If you haven't already started binging the 10-episode series on Prime Video, you'll be pleased to know that the first "Ballard" reviews are in... and the new "Bosch" spin-off has been warmly received. As we mentioned above, the series has earned a rare 100% approval rating from critics on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes. Admittedly, that score's only aggregated from nine individual reactions, but it's still an encouraging sign to see every critic who's reviewed the series (at the time of writing) liked what they saw. Reviewing for Variety, Aramide Tinubu, for example, called "Ballard" "one of the best police procedurals on TV," adding: "Smartly acted, beautifully paced and genuinely engaging, "Ballard" is a thrilling ride from start to finish." Similarly, Sherin Nicole praised the series for its "well sculpted" characters and for being "grounded by grit, genuine leads, and complex cases," adding: "This series fits right in with 'Bosch' and 'Bosch: Legacy': strident, true-to-life characters doing emotionally crushing work while dealing with the people and things that make life harder." CBR's Brittany Frederick gave the series an 8/10 score, arguing it was "rougher around the edges" than the previous Michael Connelly shows, but was nevertheless entertaining in its own right. "While "Ballard" isn't as iconic as its predecessor," she writes, "it is a worthy addition to the "Bosch" universe and a high-quality crime drama that will keep viewers satisfied for hopefully years to come." Comparatively, audience reactions for "Ballard" have been a little more split; it's landed an 80% rating from fans on Rotten Tomatoes. There are still a number of 5-star reviews present on the platform — one viewer branding it "another Michael Connelly masterpiece" — but some fans aren't nearly as keen; in a 1.5-star rating, one viewer said the series was "one cliché after another" and "a dull parody of a police procedural." Nevertheless, there are more positive takes logged at present, and, in tandem with the critics' takes, the consensus seems to be that "Ballard" is worth your time. In short, if you were sad to see "Bosch" come to an end, or you just love getting wrapped up in a fresh case, most people who've streamed the show recommend you stream "Ballard" on Prime Video as soon as possible. However, if police procedurals and crime dramas just aren't your thing, we can still help you find your next must-watch show. Check out our round-up of the best shows on Prime Video for tons more top streaming recommendations fit for any watchlist. More from Tom's Guide You can skip the Prime fee and still get Prime Day deals Best movies like "Heads of State," and where to stream them Prime Video just added a ridiculously fun dark comedy movie Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Titus Welliver teams up with Al Pacino and Grantchester star for new projects after Bosch success
Titus Welliver has been busy since wrapping production on the first season of Prime Video's Ballard with a number of projects lined up. Bosch may have reached its conclusion, but Titus Welliver hasn't been resting on his laurels as he's already grafting on his next major venture. Writer Michael Connelly's novels have been transformed into several hit programmes, including Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch, and most recently, Ballard. The Maggie Q series also serves as a Bosch spin-off with actor Titus Welliver reprising his role as Harry Bosch for the Prime Video drama. He is now departing from the realm of the detective-turned-private-investigator to focus his efforts on the cinema world. The 63-year-old is working on the eagerly awaited biographical film Killing Castro, which is presently in post-production. The picture is inspired by the actual events surrounding the former Cuban President's visit to New York in 1960 to address the United Nations. Its synopsis states: "He is invited by Malcolm X to stay in Harlem at the famous Hotel Theresa. "Unsure of his intentions, the FBI, CIA and the Mafia, attempt to eliminate him by any means necessary." Everyone's parts in Killing Castro remain undisclosed, but Welliver features amongst the leading cast, alongside Scarface and The Godfather icon Al Pacino. They will be accompanied by Big Sky's Logan Marshall-Green, Vikings' Alexander Ludwig, and Cobra Kai star Xolo Mariduena. Taking on the role of Castro himself, however, will be Rock of Ages and Father of the Bride performer Diego Boneta. While fans anxiously anticipate the launch date, Welliver is also developing a fresh series alongside Grantchester's Tom Brittney, Whiplash's JK Simmons, and Ozark's Jessica Frances Dukes. Drawing from actual events, the forthcoming MGM+ crime drama The Westies centres on the Irish-American criminal organisation that ruled Hell's Kitchen during the 1970s and 1980s. The official synopsis states: "Though vastly outnumbered by the Italian mafia, their brutality earns them a share. Generational tensions rise as FBI probes deepen." Reports suggest filming commenced this month, with The Westies anticipated to premiere sometime in early 2026.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ballard could hardly have been worse than Bosch Legacy, but it's actually great – here's why I'm loving Prime Video's hard-hitting crime drama
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you weren't a fan of police procedural Bosch or its subsequent spinoff Bosch: Legacy, there's a good chance you're ready to write off Prime Video's latest installment, Ballard. Despite only being released on July 9, the new TV show has already got an astonishing 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes…and that's excellent news for the franchise as a whole. But it isn't just the smashing review score that's responsible for Ballard's success. If you've not already spotted it on our everything new coming to Prime Video in July 2025 list, the series follows LAPD detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) as she oversees a cold case in a new department. As you might imagine, it's all not as straightforward as that. Don't let Bosch: Legacy dissuade you from trying Ballard as it hasn't set an amazing example for crime fans wanting to tune in. Sure, the critic's score still stacks up (it also had 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), but Harry Bosch's (Titus Welliver) retirement was more of the same, and that got tired and stale as the years passed. Even though we drove a cop car head-first into a snooze fest, don't tarnish Ballard with the same brush. Don't write off Prime Video's Ballard just because Bosch: Legacy was awful Frankly, there's never been a better time to be a Bosh: Legacy hater than now. Ballard's return to the small screen has made stimulating and fresh crime drama look so effortless, it's difficult to see how the franchise avoided a new lease of life for so long. The fact we only briefly met Ballard herself during the finale of Bosch: Legacy doesn't hurt (she's a big part of Michael Connelly's original book series), but the new show's sprint towards success runs much deeper than that. We start off strong with Maggie Q's casting – the actress is arguably underappreciated in the action movie genre she's cultivating as her own (Mission: Impossible III remains the best in my book, and she should have had a two-film arc at the very least). Her cold-case detective is sharp and commanding, relentless in the face of the city's challenges. So far, so good. Then there's the storylines themselves. Ballard isn't choosing to play it safe, extending the danger we'd normally see within the department into the personal lives of characters we're growing attached to. Ballard beats up an intruder who enters her home, Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor) isn't afraid to be a voice for the most vulnerable victims, and corrupt police conduct is exposed and tackled without hesitation. Prime Video has also played it smart by including Bosch as a cameo role in the new series. Those that did appreciate the main series and Bosch: Legacy don't have to do without him, but there's more than enough breathing room for Ballard to become its own programme. There are no shadows to stand in here. So what are you waiting for? Ballard is the new TV show you need to be streaming this week. If nothing else, you might be inspired to kick a door down (or two). You might also like The Boys season 5: everything we know so far about the popular Prime Video show's final entry Reacher season 4: everything we know so far about the hit Prime Video show's return The best TV show on Prime Video? I can't stop coming back to this comfortingly cringey comedy series from the 2000s
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Was Ballard a Solid Bosch Successor? Grade the Twisty Finale and Season 1
The following contains spoilers from Season 1 of , now streaming on Prime Video. Not three months after Titus Welliver wrapped his 10-season run as LAPD detective turned P.I. Harry Bosch, Maggie Q made her full-on debut as Renée Ballard, in her own eponymous Prime Video procedural. Did Ballard fill the Bosch-shaped hole in your TV schedule? More from TVLine What to Watch This Week: 40+ Premieres, Finales and More Dexter: Resurrection Premiere: Jack Alcott Reacts to the Season's Gruesome First Kill - Watch Save the Dates: Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, Tom Brady's Built In Birmingham Docu and More Ordered to series last November, the new entry in the Bosch TV universe finds Detective Renée Ballard running the LAPD's new cold case division — a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit that operates out of an inglorious basement and is saddled with the largest case load in the city. The Ballard cast also boasts Courtney Taylor (Insecure) as Samira Parker, a wary ex-cop who returns to the force at Ballard's behest; John Carroll Lynch (Big Sky) as Thomas Laffont, Renée's former partner who un-retires to help her out; Michael Mosley (always Castle) as Ted Rawls, a reserve officer who is assigned to the unit to keep an eye on Ballard; Rebecca Field (All Rise) as Colleen, an enthusiastic (and eccentric) volunteer; Victoria Moroles (Teen Wolf) as Martina, the team's savvy legal intern; and Amy Hill (Magnum P.I.) as Ballard's spunky grandma, Tutu. Ballard's 10-episode freshman run came to a close with a twist-filled finale. For one, we learned that it was Rawls who got shot in a highly unexpected showdown with city councilman Jake Pearlman's (Nikita's Noah Bean) father, Gary (Veep's Kevin Dunn), whom Ballard had just learned was the serial strangler they'd been hunting all season — at Jake's behest, in order to find out who killed his sister years prior. Heartbreakingly, Rawls would not survive that shooting. On top of that, Gary stole Rawls' car and used it to set in motion a getaway. Ballard argued to Captain Berchem (Hector Hugo) that Gary would not in fact flee town without making another run a this sole surviving victim, the former hairdresser whom Ballard and Parker tracked down to procure vital intel. Yet the LAPD soon got word that Gary had crossed the border into Mexico, using another stolen car. Gary, though, did have one last piece of business to settle — with Ballard herself, stalking her in the dark of the cold case unit's basement HQ. A brawl ensued and Renée eventually emerged with the upper hand, sparing Gary's life (if not one of his hands) as Jake had requested earlier. The other major storyline to take a left turn involved the gang of corrupt cops, led by Olivas (Desperate Housewives' Ricardo Chavira), that Ballard & Co. got the goods on and had hauled in, after Martina led her sus beau Manny into a trap. Ballard's latest surfing session was cut short when Bosch appeared on shore and waved her in, to deliver the bad news that all of dirty cops will face a grand jury… except Olivas, whom DA Honey Chandler kicked free in trade for intel on the cartel for whom he and the others snitched. Ballard was not happy to hear this, and after making clear her opinion to Honey, she paid Olivas himself a (very unwise) visit at his home, even drawing her gun at one point. Ballard commiserated with Parker that night, at her home over some beers, until a couple black-and-whites pulled up, lights strobing, to arrest her for Olivas' murder! (Is it just us, or is it too obvious that Olivas' scorned wife will turn out to be the triggerman?) Want scoop on , or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@ and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line! Best of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
Tom's Guide
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video's new 'Bosch' spinoff has earned a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes — and it's already crashed the top 10
"Bosch" fans, rejoice: it sounds like Prime Video's follow-up is going to continue the series' legacy as a compelling crime drama. On July 9, the Amazon streaming service dropped the full first season of "Ballard," a new spin-off that shifts focus from Titus Welliver's Harry Bosch over to Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), the detective introduced in April's "Bosch: Legacy" series finale. Despite only just premiering on Prime Video, "Ballard" looks to be another hit for the streamer; it's already the second most-popular series on the platform (behind the lackluster thriller, "Countdown"), and it's earned a coveted perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Ready to dive in? You can stream all 10 episodes of "Ballard" on Prime Video right now, or you can find a little more info — and hear what critics have to say — about Prime's newest release below. If you're not up to speed, "Ballard" is Prime Video's next series based on Michael Connelly's books. Here, we follow Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who is charged with leading the LAPD's underfunded cold case division and taking on some of Los Angeles' toughest long-forgotten cases. Per the series synopsis, we know the series sees her investigating layers of crime that go back decades, including a serial killer's string of murders; as she does so, Ballard unearths a deadly conspiracy within the force, and enlists the help of her team and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) to crack her cases, navigating personal and professional challenges along the way. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Q and Welliver, "Ballard" also features Courtney Taylor, John Carroll Lynch, Michael Mosley, Rebecca Field, Victoria Moroles, Amy Hill, Ricardo Chavira, Noah Bean, and more. If you haven't already started binging the 10-episode series on Prime Video, you'll be pleased to know that the first "Ballard" reviews are in... and the new "Bosch" spin-off has been warmly received. As we mentioned above, the series has earned a rare 100% approval rating from critics on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes. Admittedly, that score's only aggregated from nine individual reactions, but it's still an encouraging sign to see every critic who's reviewed the series (at the time of writing) liked what they saw. Reviewing for Variety, Aramide Tinubu, for example, called "Ballard" "one of the best police procedurals on TV," adding: "Smartly acted, beautifully paced and genuinely engaging, "Ballard" is a thrilling ride from start to finish." Similarly, Sherin Nicole praised the series for its "well sculpted" characters and for being "grounded by grit, genuine leads, and complex cases," adding: "This series fits right in with 'Bosch' and 'Bosch: Legacy': strident, true-to-life characters doing emotionally crushing work while dealing with the people and things that make life harder." CBR's Brittany Frederick gave the series an 8/10 score, arguing it was "rougher around the edges" than the previous Michael Connelly shows, but was nevertheless entertaining in its own right. "While "Ballard" isn't as iconic as its predecessor," she writes, "it is a worthy addition to the "Bosch" universe and a high-quality crime drama that will keep viewers satisfied for hopefully years to come." So, yes, if you were sad to see "Bosch" come to an end, or you just love getting wrapped up in a fresh case, it absolutely sounds like you should go stream "Ballard" on Prime Video as soon as possible. However, if police procedurals and crime dramas just aren't your thing, we can still help you find your next must-watch show. Check out our round-up of the best shows on Prime Video for tons more top streaming recommendations fit for any watchlist.
