“Netflix’s New Detective Thriller Has a PERFECT 100% Score — A Forgotten Murder, A City Drowning in Shadows, Maggie Q Teaming With a Hardened Cop, and a Cold Case Twist So Dark That Fans Say It Feels Like Department Q Reborn for a New Generation”! A decades-old murder no one dared to touch. A city where shadows never sleep. And when Maggie Q is thrown together with a scarred, relentless detective, the investigation detonates into betrayal, obsession, and revelations that could destroy everything. Critics are raving it’s “flawless,” fans say they “can’t stop watching” — and the twist? It’s so shocking, it makes Broadchurch’s darkest moments look tame. Are you ready for the crime drama Netflix viewers are losing their minds over?
Move over, Dept Q and Broadchurch — there’s a new cold-case queen in town, and her name is Detective Renée Ballard.
Prime Video has just unveiled Ballard, a 10-part crime drama rooted in the world of Bosch, and early viewers are already calling it one of the most emotionally charged, addictive series the platform has ever released. Based on the bestselling novels by Michael Connelly, Ballard stars Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III, Nikita) in a career-defining role as a relentless LAPD detective leading the department’s underfunded cold case division.
A New Kind of Heroine in the Bosch Universe
Set in the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles, Ballard begins where the system gives up. With the help of a ragtag volunteer team and the legendary Harry Bosch himself (Titus Welliver), Ballard takes on the city’s most haunting, unsolved crimes — from decades-old murder sprees to shadowy police conspiracies that could unravel the entire force.
Unlike her polished predecessors, Ballard is damaged, driven, and deeply human. She’s still reeling from past trauma — but it’s that emotional vulnerability that makes her dangerous. As she chases down killers and unearths hidden truths, Ballard peels back the shiny veneer of justice to expose the brutal realities beneath.
The Reviews Are In — And They’re Glowing
Critics are already praising Ballard for its layered storytelling, top-tier performances, and relentless pacing. The entire 10-episode season lands July 9, but those with early access are already calling it “Prime Video’s best crime show since Bosch — maybe better.”
On social media, comparisons to Dept Q, Mindhunter, and Broadchurch are flying — with one fan writing:
“I didn’t think anything could top Dept Q. Then I watched Ballard. Raw, emotional, unpredictable — this is what crime drama should be.”
What Sets Ballard Apart?
While Bosch focused on the grizzled cop archetype, Ballard updates the formula for a new generation. It’s quieter, darker, and more introspective — but no less thrilling. Maggie Q’s performance has already been described as “a masterclass in restraint and rage,” and her chemistry with Titus Welliver gives the series an emotional backbone many crime dramas lack.
