Titus Welliver’s Return In Bosch’s New Prequel Series Gets Definitive Response

Titus Welliver reveals whether he’ll appear in Bosch: Start of Watch.

Welliver hasn’t completely stepped away from his memorable role as Harry Bosch, considering that he still recurs on the Prime Video spinoff Ballard, but the next big show in the Bosch universe is the Start of Watch prequel on MGM+ that will shift its focus to the past and look at Harry’s younger years as a rookie cop.

In an interview with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns, Welliver spoke about Start of Watch and shared that he’s excited to see the prequel. Even though Welliver says that he hasn’t yet met Cameron Monaghan, who will play the younger version of Bosch, he notes that the 32-year-old actor sent him a letter and that they’ve been in communication.

In the quote below, Welliver makes clear that he is not involved with Start of Watch as a producer. He also clarifies that he will not be appearing as the older version of Bosch in flashforwards, describing the prequel as a “standalone show.” But he underlines that the MGM+ Original will be exciting for fans of Bosch and its Legacy spinoff, partly because of the same creative team:

I think they’ve very much got their hands full with Start of Watch, which I’m excited to see, and I’m excited for everyone involved. I haven’t met Cameron in person yet, but we’ve communicated via real mail. Believe it or not, he sent me an extraordinarily warm, kind and gracious letter. So we’ve been in communication, but I didn’t want to roll up on the set at the Start of Watch. I know that everyone is very, very excited and I’m not involved as a producer or anything like that. We’re not going to have any flash-forwards, or any older Harry. It’s very much a standalone show. But it’ll be really cool for fans of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy to be able to see Bosch at the start of his career in law enforcement. And again, you’ve got all the same people helming it. Tom Bernardo and I were the left and right hand of Bosch, and that guy is incredible. He’s an incredible writer, but he’s a phenomenal showrunner, because he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the books, and was very much a part of the evolution of the character and the world that he lived in. So, it’s in the best of hands. I’m as excited as everyone else’s and am rooting for everyone involved.

What Will Bosch: Start of Watch Be About?

Bosch: Start of Watch will be led by Monaghan, best known for his roles in Shameless and Gotham. The story is set in Los Angeles in 1991 and follows a 26-year-old Harry Bosch in the early stages of his career as a rookie police officer. It is based on the Harry Bosch character, created by Michael Connelly, although it does not pull from any direct source material.

Instead, the prequel aims to explore a city grappling with racial tension, gang violence, and a divided LAPD. As the unrest intensifies, Harry becomes entangled in a high-profile heist and a network of criminal corruption. The experience will challenge his commitment to his role as a police officer while also shaping his future as a detective.

The cast of Bosch: Start of Watch includes Power alum Omari Hardwick, who stars as Eli Bridges, Bosch’s training officer, while Ariana Guerra, who appeared in CSI: Vegas, portrays Rosa, a rookie officer and potential love interest. JD Pardo, known for Mayans MC, takes on the role of Cory, a professional thief and Harry’s adopted brother.

Behind the scenes, as Welliver indicates, the prequel comes from the same team as Bosch and Bosch: Legacy. It hails from Fabel Entertainment, with Bosch: Legacy co-developer/executive producer Tom Bernardo serving as co-creator and showrunner. Bosch: Legacy’s Brian Anthony, meanwhile, executive produces. It’s currently filming in Los Angeles, and the MGM+ release date has not been confirmed.

Bosch: Start of Watch Could Still Bring In Welliver Later On

Depending on whether the prequel is a success, Welliver could always return as Harry down the road. He remains in business with MGM+, because he has a leading role in the upcoming crime drama The Westies. That will debut on July 12.

But at least for now, Bosch: Start of Watch will give Monaghan a chance to lead his own show for the first time in a career that has spanned more than two decades. It’s smart to let him establish his take on the role first.