You Must Watch Bosch Before Its Upcoming Prime Video Prequel

Upcoming Detective Show Based On A Best-Selling Book Series Is A Reminder To Watch Its 97% RT Predecessor Matthew Lillard talking on the phone in Bosch

Matthew Lillard talking on the phone in Bosch

By Dhruv Sharma Published Feb 13, 2026, 11:01 PM EST Dhruv is a Lead Writer in Screen Rant's New TV division. He has been consistently contributing to the website for over two years and has written thousands of articles covering streaming trends, movie/TV analysis, and pop culture breakdowns. Before Screen Rant, he was a Senior Writer for The Cinemaholic, covering everything from anime to television, from reality TV to movies. After high school, he was on his way to become a Civil Engineer. However, he soon realized that writing was his true calling. As a result, he took a leap and never looked back. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Before an exciting detective show lands on Prime Video, viewers must check out its incredible parent series that boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%.

Prime Video is easily the undisputed king of action and crime thrillers with shows like Reacher, Cross, and Jack Ryan in its catalog. However, even among its long line of dad shows, there is one that seemingly stands above all the others because of how brilliantly it captures its source material and refuses to stumble in its long 7-season runtime.

The Prime Video detective series in question is now being followed up with a prequel/spinoff, making it the perfect time to watch or revisit it.

MGM+'s Bosch Prequel Is A Reminder To Watch The Original Show

Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) in his car looking out the window serious in Bosch

A Bosch prequel, titled Bosch: Start of Watch, is officially in the works. Set in 1991, the show will follow a 26-year-old Harry Bosch, walking through his early days as a rookie cop. Cameron Monaghan, of the Shameless and Gotham fame, has been cast to play the younger version of the character.

Given how Bosch's television legacy primarily rests on the parent series that stars Titus Welliver, it is necessary to watch it before watching the upcoming prequel.

While only time will tell how the prequel will turn out and whether Cameron Monaghan will do justice to the part, the Bosch franchise is what it is today only because of the 7-season Prime Video series. Many factors contributed to the parent series' success, but it is Titus Welliver's ability to embody Bosch’s brooding intensity, deductive brilliance, and moral depth that made the show exceptional.

Owing to this, it would just feel unfair to watch a new iteration of the character without actually knowing about Welliver's portrayal of him that cemented the franchise's legacy.

Since Bosch: Start of Watch's production has just begun, viewers have enough to watch all seven seasons of Bosch before the new prequel premieres.

How Bosch: Start Of Watch Will Tie Into The Original Bosch Series

Bosch: Start of Watch is roughly set 23 years before its parent series. Since it is a prequel, it will not feature Titus Welliver in any capacity. However, it will tie into the original show by introducing characters like Eli Bridges (Omari Hardwick), who is a Vietnam veteran and young Bosch's training officer. His role in the show as Bosch's mentor will reveal where the Titus Welliver character's strong moral foundation came from.

Harry's surrogate brother, Cory (JD Pardo), will also be a part of the prequel series and portrayed as a disciplined and brilliant professional thief. His involvement in the series could serve as the perfect narrative bridge for the absence of Mickey Haller in the Prime Video franchise.

The show is also being developed by Michael Connelly and Tom Bernardo (a veteran writer/producer from Bosch and Bosch: Legacy), which ensures that, despite the casting changes, its DNA aligns with the parent series.

Will Bosch: Start Of Watch Live Up To The Original?

Cameron Monaghan as Ian looking serious in Shameless

Considering how Bosch is a perfect detective drama and hardly has any dull moments in its seven-season runtime, living up to it will not be an easy feat for the upcoming prequel. For the same reason, beating the parent series would almost be impossible. Bosch: Start of Watch will also constantly be compared with the original show, which means every creative choice it makes could be scrutinized.

Screen Rant Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters

Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Screen Rant, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Owing to this, instead of attempting to match the parent show's legacy or trying to beat it, Bosch: Start of Watch should focus on etching its own identity.

It marks the inception of a whole new arc for the titular detective character, giving it the opportunity to expand the franchise's lore instead of merely revisiting familiar territory or relying on nostalgia. If the upcoming Prime Video prequel series achieves this, it will be seen as a worthy extension of the franchise and not an unnecessary cash cow.

Bosch
Bosch: Start of Watch
Prime Video

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close

Screen Rant Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters

Fallout 5's Setting Is Already Dividing Gamers, But We Back It George Lucas attends a photocall as he has been awarded an Honorary Palme d'Or during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France