Ballard Season 1 is a 10-episode Prime Video crime drama starring Maggie Q as LAPD detective Renée Ballard. All episodes debuted on July 9, 2025. Ballard’s cold-case investigations lead into a serial-killer case and a conspiracy inside the department, while the series brings her into the television world of Bosch.
What is Ballard about?
Renée Ballard is an LAPD homicide detective assigned to cold cases. In Season 1, separate investigations—including a John Doe case and a fraternity death initially ruled an accident—connect to a wider serial-killer investigation and a conspiracy within the department. The season has an overarching story, alongside some more self-contained cases.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Major Crimes: The Complete Series (DVD) | $65.85 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Diagnosis Murder: The Complete Series | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Columbo: The Complete Series | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Season 1 | $9.62 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Combat The Complete Series 40 DVD Set Seasons 1-5 1 2 3 4 5 | $64.49 | Buy on Amazon |
Ballard is a fictional character rooted in author Michael Connelly’s crime novels. Connelly has said the character was based on retired LAPD detective Mitzi Roberts, who consulted on his books and later worked on the series as a producer and part of the writing room.
When did Season 1 come out, and how many episodes are there?
All 10 episodes were released together on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The Prime Video listing dates each episode July 9 and gives visible runtimes ranging from 45 to 50 minutes. Episode titles, descriptions, runtimes, and content ratings are available on the Prime Video listing; its details may vary by territory.
#1 Best Overall
Who is in the cast?
Maggie Q leads the series as Renée Ballard. The official cast guide also names Courtney Taylor, John Carroll Lynch, Michael Mosley, Rebecca Field, Victoria Moroles, Amy Hill, Ricardo Chavira, Noah Bean, Alain Uy, and Hector Hugo. Titus Welliver returns as Harry Bosch.
How is Ballard connected to Bosch?
Ballard is a spinoff of Bosch: Legacy and the first series in the franchise not centered directly on Bosch. Welliver’s return as Harry Bosch makes the connection visible on screen, while Ballard’s character comes from Connelly’s wider book universe.
Is the series an adaptation of one book?
No. Amazon describes the first season as an amalgamation of material from several Ballard novels, rather than a scene-by-scene adaptation of a single book. The named books include the fourth and fifth Ballard novels. That mixed source material means the season’s plot should not be treated as a direct retelling of any one installment.
Where Ballard appears in the books
Ballard first appeared in Connelly’s The Late Show (2017). Later books featuring her are Dark Sacred Night (2018), The Night Fire (2019), The Dark Hours (2021), Desert Star (2022), and The Waiting (2024). The Late Show is a natural starting point for readers who want to meet the character in print, but it is not a scene-by-scene match for Season 1.
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Where can you watch Ballard?
The official series listing is on Prime Video. In the United States, Amazon says Prime Video is included with a Prime membership; Prime Video Store rentals and purchases are also available to customers without a Prime membership. Availability, membership terms, and prices can change and differ by country, so check the Prime Video listing for your location.
Is Season 2 confirmed?
Yes. Amazon announced a second season, but its cited renewal announcement did not give a premiere date.
Rank #4
- Factory sealed DVD
What is the content rating?
The Prime Video listing displays U/A 16+ and advisories for violence, sexual content, foul language, nudity, alcohol and tobacco depictions, fighting, substance use, and flashing or strobing patterns. Ratings and advisories can differ across territories.
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