The expanding world of Harry Bosch just got a major addition. JD Pardo, known for leading FX’s ‘Mayans M.C.’ for five seasons, is the newest cast member to sign on for the upcoming MGM+ prequel series ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ .
According to reports from multiple outlets including Deadline and Variety, the actor will play a character named Cory in the series, which follows a 26-year-old Harry Bosch during his rookie year with the LAPD in 1991 . The news comes as production gears up to start in Los Angeles later this year .
Who is JD Pardo Playing in the Bosch Universe?
Pardo is set to portray Cory, a character described as a meticulous professional thief. Unlike random criminals Bosch might encounter on patrol, Cory is a disciplined operator with a specific set of skills.
Reports from sources confirm that Cory’s background adds a deeper layer to his criminal profile. He is a product of the foster system, where he learned to read people and anticipate danger just to survive . This backstory shaped him into someone who stays calm under pressure and operates with precision.
The character also has a personal connection to Bosch’s past. Cory is fiercely loyal to a younger surrogate brother who has ties to the detective’s early life, setting up a conflict that feels personal rather than just professional . This connection to Bosch’s history before he became a detective is expected to drive significant drama in the series.
The Growing Cast of ‘Start of Watch’
Pardo joins a lineup that has come together over the past few months. Cameron Monaghan, who viewers know from ‘Shameless’ and ‘Gotham’, leads the series as the young Harry Bosch . Taking on a role made famous by Titus Welliver over ten seasons across ‘Bosch’ and ‘Bosch: Legacy’ is no small task, but Monaghan has the acting range to bring a raw, untested version of the character to life.
Omari Hardwick (‘Power,’ ‘Army of the Dead’) is set to play Eli Bridges, a veteran training officer created specifically for the series . Bridges will serve as a mentor figure to Bosch, shaping his early views on police work in a city struggling with tension and corruption.
The cast also includes Ariana Guerra as Rosa, a rookie LAPD officer and native Angeleno. Her character brings uncommon street smarts to the job, but struggles with personal pressure from a young pregnancy and a failed first career . An early-career romance with Bosch reportedly tests her professional credibility, adding personal stakes to the procedural elements .
What is ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ About?
Set in 1991 Los Angeles, ‘Start of Watch’ drops viewers into a city on the edge. The official logline describes an environment “teeming with racial tension, gang violence, and a fractured LAPD” . For a young Harry Bosch, fresh to the force, this is the reality he walks into every shift.
The series will follow Bosch as he navigates routine calls and growing civil unrest. But the core plot kicks in when he gets drawn into a high-profile heist and a web of criminal corruption . These cases will test his loyalty to the badge and begin shaping the moral code he becomes famous for: “Everybody counts or nobody counts” .
Unlike the original series which adapted Michael Connelly’s books directly, ‘Start of Watch’ is crafted as original prequel material . However, Connelly is heavily involved as an executive producer, ensuring the story stays true to the character fans have loved for years .
“Being able to see how Harry Bosch became the man we have loved for 10 seasons is a gift to me and his many fans. I can’t wait to dig in with Cameron and the writers to explore this uncharted character territory.”
— Michael Connelly, author and executive producer
From Mayans MC to the LAPD
For JD Pardo, this role marks a significant shift from his recent work. He spent five seasons as EZ Reyes on ‘Mayans M.C.,’ the ‘Sons of Anarchy’ spinoff that followed a Latino motorcycle club on the California-Mexico border . That role required him to play a conflicted anti-hero trying to carve out a new identity after serving time in prison.
In a 2026 interview with GQ Australia, Pardo discussed his approach to playing characters with complicated pasts. When asked about comparisons between EZ Reyes and Charlie Hunnam’s Jax Teller, he made it clear he focuses on creating something original .
“What Charlie Hunnam did with Jax Teller was phenomenal. I don’t want to touch it. Nobody likes a karaoke version of something great. Jax was the prince; he had it all. EZ is bouncing off rock bottom.”
— JD Pardo to GQ Australia
Now, as Cory in ‘Start of Watch,’ Pardo steps into the role of a antagonist shaped by a different kind of struggle—the foster system rather than the prison system—but with the same need for survival and loyalty.
Production and Release Details
‘Start of Watch’ is a straight-to-series order from MGM+ . Production is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles later in 2026 . The creative team includes Tom Bernardo and Brian Anthony as co-creators, with Bernardo serving as showrunner . Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin, and Jasmine Russ join Connelly as executive producers through Fabel Entertainment .
Filming in Los Angeles is a priority for the production. Henrik Bastin emphasized the importance of shooting on location, stating that filming in LA allows the team to tap into the best creative talent and deliver the story fans have wanted .
As for when viewers can expect to see it, reports suggest a 2026 debut is likely, though an exact date hasn’t been announced . Given the production timeline, a late 2026 or even 2027 release is possible.
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The Expanding Bosch Universe
‘Start of Watch’ marks the fourth television installment in the Bosch franchise . It started with ‘Bosch,’ which ran for seven seasons on Prime Video. That was followed by ‘Bosch: Legacy,’ which continued Harry Bosch’s story as a private investigator for three seasons . The most recent addition is ‘Ballard,’ starring Maggie Q as Renee Ballard, which has already been renewed for a second season .
Michael Wright, head of MGM+, expressed enthusiasm for expanding the franchise, noting that the origin story shows how one of television’s most beloved detectives became the man viewers know today . With Pardo now on board, the series adds another layer of talent to an already impressive cast.
For fans of crime dramas, police procedurals, and character-driven storytelling, ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ is shaping up to be a must-watch. The combination of a talented cast led by Monaghan and Hardwick, the addition of Pardo, and the creative guidance of Michael Connelly himself suggests this prequel will honor the legacy while standing on its own.
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