Collider argues that Bosch: Start of Watch risks weakening the Bosch franchise by launching its new prequel era without Titus Welliver, who played Harry Bosch in both Bosch and Bosch: Legacy. Although the series can explore the detective’s formative years with greater freedom than previous adaptations, the writer believes Welliver’s involvement could have linked the younger character’s experiences to the established version audiences know.

Set in 1991 Los Angeles, the prequel follows 26-year-old rookie Bosch as he confronts racial tensions, gang violence, public distrust of police and a major corruption scandal. The programme is an original story built from details of Bosch’s early life found across Michael Connelly’s novels, rather than a direct adaptation; Bosch ended in 2021 and Bosch: Legacy concluded in 2025.