Amazon MGM Studios has canceled the upcoming J. Edgar spinoff in the Bosch universe. Initially set to be developed by Blue Bloods alum Larry Andries, the J. Edgar show would have followed Harry Bosch’s former partner, Detective Jerry Edgar, as he moved to Little Haiti, Miami, for an undercover FBI mission. It was confirmed that Jamie Hector, who played Edgar in all seven seasons of Bosch, would lead the potential new series, and was one of two in the works for the franchise.
Now, just two years shy of when it was first announced, Deadline has brought word that the Hector-led new Bosch spinoff is no longer happening at Prime Video. The project was one of the two Bosch spinoffs that the studio planned on developing, with the other being the Maggie Q-led Detective Renee Ballard spinoff, which has been filming since late July 2024. However, the studio is no longer moving forward with the J. Edgar spinoff, but no reasoning has been given for its cancellation at the time of writing, with some speculations citing Andries’ charge of six felony counts of sexual assault in LA earlier this year.
Regardless of why it was axed, the J. Edgar-focused Bosch spinoff isn’t the only show Amazon MGM isn’t moving forward with, as they have also cancelled the Who’s the Boss? sequel show. The revival of the classic sitcom was set to have both Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano returning to star and Amazon Freevee distribute the project, which was first ordered in 2022. Sources do report that while the show has yet to be shared with other platforms for a potential survival, Sony Pictures Television are attempting to keep it alive.
What J. Edgar Spinoff Cancelation Means For The Bosch Universe
The Franchise Is Still Moving Away From the Original Series
With this new cancellation, it looks like there will only be one spin-off in the Bosch universe for the foreseeable future. Maggie Q will make her debut as Ballard in the upcoming Bosch: Legacy season 3. Currently, there’s no news on the release window of the new spin-off show, though production did kick off in July 2024, making it likely to arrive sometime in 2025. This seems even more likely considering that season 3 of the mothership show will bring Bosch: Legacy to an end, with Prime Video likely still keen to tap into that fanbase.
Related
Bosch: Legacy Cast & Character Guide
The Bosch: Legacy cast brings back several characters for the spinoff crime series as well as new additions as the show enters season 2.
While Andries’ sexual assault charges might have something to do with the show’s cancellation, it also seems that Prime Video is focusing on expanding the Bosch universe with new characters instead of tapping into the nostalgic factor of the universe. This proves to be a different approach from the streaming platform’s other similar hit shows, Reacher and Jack Ryan, which both have spinoffs in development based on previously established characters rather than ones soon to be introduced.
Our Take On The J. Edgar Show Cancelation
It’s Time to Move On
It seems like a risky move to develop a spin-off series that centers on a character who’s not yet in the Bosch universe. Maggie Q doesn’t come into the picture until the finale of Bosch: Legacy season 3, but Prime Video seems to be very comfortable with the decision to make a new show about Ballard. The J. Edgar spin-off series would have involved less risk, given that Bosch fans have invested in the character for seven seasons, though the short run of the show’s sequel has proven that it’s time to move on.
Bosch: Legacy has been very successful with its new focus on the titular detective’s daughter and new officers on the force. While Bosch still shoulders the task of carrying out the main storyline, the upcoming crossover and new blood are what makes the revival refreshing. A spin-off series on J. Edgar would gain a few points for nostalgia, but let’s admit it, a Maggie Q spin-off is much more exciting, as it’s new and dangerous, and there’s no telling of what would happen.
Source: Deadline