Latest news with #Bosch:Legacy
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Jordan News
Jensen Ackles' Thriller Series Continues Clash With 100% Rotten Tomatoes ‘Bosch' Spin-Off on Streaming Charts
Jensen Ackles Jensen Ackles' crime series is inching closer to its season finale by the day, but it just took a major step forward after passing what has been its biggest competitor on streaming charts. Ackles stars alongside Eric Dane (Euphoria) and Jessica Camacho (Bosch: Legacy) in Countdown, the Prime Video original series following an LAPD officer who joins a task force that uncovers a sinister plot to kill millions. Countdown has been clashing with Ballard, the 100% Rotten Tomatoes Bosch: Legacy spin-off, at the top of Prime Video streaming charts, but now Countdown has finally surpassed it to take the #2 spot. Countdown currently sits at a 38% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter. Both projects sit well behind the latest season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. اضافة اعلان Countdown is a product of Derek Haas, the legendary scribe who is also known for his work creating Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, the trio of interweaving procedurals that have taken on the mantra of One Chicago. Haas also wrote the script for the second Fast & Furious movie, 2 Fast 2 Furious, which was four years before he teamed up with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe for the gritty Western, 3:10 to Yuma. Countdown's leading star, Jensen Ackles, is no stranger to working with Prime Video, either. Ackles previously starred as Soldier Boy in The Boys Season 3, and he's even expected to reprise his role in Season 5 after departing the show for Season 4. Ackles will also lead a Boys prequel spin-off dubbed Vought Rising with fellow Boys star Aya Cash, who played Stormfront in Season 2. Will There Be a 'Countdown' Season 2? Prime Video has yet to announce if there will be another season of Countdown. The show scored over 400 million viewers during its second week of eligibility, according to a new report from Nielsen, which could help Amazon executives overlook the largely poor reception from critics thus far. However, after Prime Video canceled a beloved series like The Wheel of Time, fans have the right to be skeptical about the future of any shows on the streamer. An announcement regarding Countdown's future will likely be made shortly after the conclusion of Season 1. Countdown and Ballard continue to clash at the top of Prime Video streaming charts, but Countdown has the upper hand, for now. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Ackles' future projects.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- 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
The Star
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Ballard' review: Solid crime procedural does justice to its legacy
What are crime drama fans doing right to get two "Dept Q" series in the same year? Ballard, the latest adaptation of Michael Connelly's (Bosch, The Lincoln Lawyer) books, has more than a passing similarity to the set-up of that Matthew Goode series from earlier this year. Consider: a disgraced detective who doesn't play well with others is consigned to a basement office with a motley group of non-cops (a retired detective, a police reservist, a volunteer and an intern, initially) and a stack of cold case boxes. (As for the "Q" connection, well...) It should be noted that in the first Connelly novel featuring Detective Renee Ballard (Maggie Q), she was not kicked out of the Los Angeles Police Dept's Robbery-Homicide division. Instead, she was banished to the graveyard shift while keeping her spot on the team, albeit for the same reason she winds up in the TV show's makeshift cold case unit. 'You bring the cold cases, we bring the heat.' The main reason for the unit even existing is because of pressure from LA Councilman Jake Pearlman (Noah Bean, Nikita mini-reunion alert!), who wants the cold case of his sister's murder solved for the family to get closure. With a 10-episode first season available to stream all at once – one of those rare departures from Prime Video's typical weekly release schedule – we can view it at leisure or binge it, depending on our preference. Chances are that it will be the latter, given the intrigue involved here, not just for the primary case but the far-reaching consequences of another case involving a John Doe murdered at a seedy motel. Being from the same literary and TV universe as Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, Ballard follows a similar pattern of character and story beats. (In fact, Ballard herself showed up in the closing segments of Legacy's final season, ICYMI.) The familiarity is comforting, as is the parade of familiar faces from the earlier shows as they help us get acquainted with this new cast of characters. Given the stresses of Ballard's situation and the cases, plus some unresolved trauma from a family tragedy, Maggie Q gives us a convincing lead character who is visibly restraining herself, but not so much that she doesn't occasionally call out her higher-ups for their BS in a few satisfying scenes. It's fortunate for Ballard that she has solid support at home (from her "Tutu", or grandmother, played by veteran Amy Hill) and at work. 'Do I need a court order or what? People are starting to think that word you guys keep inserting between Harry and Bosch is my actual middle name.' Her staunchest supporter on the job is Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch, Fargo), her ex-partner brought out of retirement to work the cold cases. Remember how Lynch gave The Walking Dead an entire season's worth of heart from just a single episode (Here's Not Here, as the enigmatic Dr Eastman, who gave Lennie James' Morgan his trademark staff)? In Ballard, his palpable investment in the case of a missing baby provides extra depth to a character we already know must be full of compelling experiences. Ballard also finds a kindred spirit in ex-cop Zamira Parker (Courtney Taylor, The Invitation), whom she coaxes back to the force and who provides the show with one of its more redemptive character arcs. Ballard's showrunners, Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood, count the Mary McDonnell procedural Major Crimes on their resumes, and the experience of juggling a large cast – and keeping each character interesting – pays off here. None of the supporting characters feels obligatory or like dead weight, from the cold case squad's varied components down to the suspects, bureaucrats, even Ballard's kind-of boyfriend – so much so that when things happen to one (or more) of them, the impact is deeply felt. Buoyed by the goodwill left over from its predecessors, Ballard hits the ground running and carries us easily through its debut season. Right through to an ending that sets up a second season in so nail-biting a fashion that we're left with fingers and toes crossed in this streaming age of uncertain series longevity. And yeah, Prime Video/Amazon, I still haven't forgiven y'all for axing The Bondsman. All 10 episodes of Ballard are available to stream on Prime Video.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Will there be a 'Ballard' Season 2? What to know
"Ballard" fans are ready for more. Throughout the first season's ten episodes, fans got to know disgraced yet determined LAPD detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who was put in charge of the department's new and underfunded cold case division. Viewers also learned of a "dangerous conspiracy within the department" as Detective Ballard peeled back layers of crimes spanning decades, including a serial killer's string of murders, with help from her team and retired detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). "Detective Ballard navigates personal trauma, professional challenges, and life-threatening dangers to expose the truth," the show's official logline says. The police procedural, a spinoff of another spinoff set in the "Bosch universe," was inspired by the popular crime novels written by best-selling author Michael Connelly. "Ballard" made its debut July 9 on Amazon Prime Video, a few months after the last "Bosch: Legacy" episode aired. The streamer, unfortunately, has yet to formally announce whether "Ballard" will be, or has been, renewed for a second season. Representatives for the show declined to comment on its future, but lead Maggie Q recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the season two story arc will be "very exciting" if greenlit. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Here's what we know about "Ballard" Season 2. Will 'Ballard' return for Season 2? The jury's still out. (Amazon MGM Studios has yet to make an official decision.) But Q, who has "no sense" about the show's future, told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview that if a season two is greenlit, the cast will likely start shooting in the fall. "This industry is not what it was before," Q told THR. "It's barely recognizable to me, and shows are so expendable. They can throw out a show in two seconds, and it doesn't make a ton of difference that whole worlds and livelihoods are at stake. Studios always have options. But we have a writers' room, and they've been writing away. The arc for the second season is very exciting." The possibility of a renewal, according to Q, ultimately lies in the hands of the viewers. "It's all going to depend on what the audiences think of what we've done," Q told Men's Journal. "I'm not going to pretend I know this industry anymore. But we have a great lineup for Season 2, story-wise. So, fingers crossed." What is 'Ballard' about? "Ballard" follows LAPD Detective Renée Ballard, who is the new and fearless leader of the LAPD's underfunded and all-volunteer cold case unit. "Armed with her unwavering determination, (Detective) Ballard races against time to solve the city's most challenging cold cases, confronting the ghosts of victims past, the very real dangers of the present, and even her own past catching up to her," the show's official logline says. How to watch 'Ballard' The show premiered on Wednesday, July 9, on Prime Video. The first season, which consisted of 10 episodes, dropped on premiere day. Prime Video subscriptions are included with an Amazon Prime membership, which start at $14.99 a month, or $139 a year if you prefer to pay annually. Discounted membership options for young adults and qualifying government-assistance recipients are available. Customers can also purchase or rent a selection of media titles from Prime Video without having an Amazon Prime or Prime Video account. Watch 'Ballard' trailer Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
UPI
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Jessica Camacho: 'Countdown' agent great at reading people, situations
1 of 2 | Jessica Camacho and Jensen Ackles star in "Countdown," airing on Wednesdays. Photo courtesy of Prime Video NEW YORK, July 16 (UPI) -- Bosch: Legacy, Sleepy Hollow and The Flash alum Jessica Camacho says Amber Oliveras, the DEA agent she plays, is a strong, smart, essential member of her team on the freshman action-drama series Countdown. "She specializes in going undercover, so she's good at slipping into different identities," Camacho, 42, told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "She's good at selling a story. She's good at reading people, assessing a situation very quickly, paying attention, putting a plan together, executing that plan. She's got a lot of skills. She's quite capable, in summary." With new episodes rolling out Wednesdays, the Prime Video show follows a multi-department task force investigating the brazen murder of a Department of Homeland Security agent. The role is a physically demanding one for Camacho, whose Oliveras is always on the move, chasing down the bad guys. "That part was challenging, but also fun to kind of rise up to that occasion and dig within myself for that great resilience, for that internal strength to show up properly and to give her the energy that she deserves," Camacho said. "It was hard, but it was great." Eric Dane's Nathan Blythe is the FBI senior special agent in charge of the operation, while Jensen Ackles plays Mark Meachum, a hotshot LAPD detective. Drop and God Friended Me actress Violett Beane, 29, plays tech-savvy rookie FBI Agent Evan Shepherd, who graduated at the top of her class at Quantico. "She's the newest addition to the team," Beane said. "She is young. She's eager. She has a lot to prove and she doesn't always say the right things, but she means well." Over the course of the season, Evan's cyber-expertise proves valuable to the team. "She finds a few of the clues that are pretty pertinent to the case and offers the skill set, whether it be hacking -- which she doesn't like it to be called that, but that's what it is -- coding, other things, where she's able to find sort of that little piece of the puzzle that maybe was overlooked," Beane said. "She does a lot of computer work, a lot behind the computer, but you see her get out into the field, interrogating people, interviewing them. It's been so fun to play," she added. Like the other younger members of the task force, Evan finds herself constantly seeking Blythe's approval. "We had this ongoing thing on set where we were just like: 'Dad? Papa?'" Beane laughed. "Everyone, I feel like, is sort of vying for Blythe's approval." "We want to please him," Camacho agreed. "Every character respects Blythe so much and, so, we want his approval and I think Evan, being the youngest one, she's definitely vying for it a bit more."
