Why Amazon Should Allow Bosch: Legacy to Stream on Netflix (But Likely Won’t)

Overview

Bosch: Legacy is set to conclude with its third season on Amazon Prime Video, scheduled for March 2025.
The potential for a crossover between Bosch: Legacy and The Lincoln Lawyer appears slim due to the competitive landscape between Netflix and Amazon.
Fans have the opportunity to advocate for Bosch: Legacy’s continuation through a petition, as Amazon shifts its focus to a spin-off centered on Renee Ballard.

Bosch: Legacy will come to an end following the release of its third season on Prime Video in March 2025. In a surprising move, Amazon decided to cancel one of its flagship series in September 2024, leaving fans in the dark about the reasoning behind this decision. While the Ballard spin-off is set to proceed, with Harry Bosch making special appearances, the narrative focusing on Bosch himself will officially close. This development poses a challenging situation for Michael Connelly, the creator of the Bosch universe, who is under contract with Amazon. Ideally, many fans envision a future where Bosch: Legacy could switch to Netflix and connect with The Lincoln Lawyer.

In the interconnected universe crafted by Michael Connelly, Mickey Haller, the lead in The Lincoln Lawyer, is revealed to be the half-brother of Harry Bosch. Their relationship is explored across various storylines. Unfortunately, the rights discrepancies hinder any form of collaboration between the two series. With Netflix owning the television adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer and Amazon holding the rights to Bosch: Legacy, a crossover remains highly unlikely.

Challenges to a Crossover Between Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer

Despite their similarities, Netflix and Amazon operate as direct rivals in the streaming industry. Both platforms often cancel shows that resonate with viewers, disregarding enthusiastic calls for their continuation. Following the announcement of Bosch: Legacy’s cancellation in September, fans began to explore the possibility of Netflix acquiring the series and integrating it with The Lincoln Lawyer. With both characters stemming from Connelly’s expansive literary universe, their connection is more than just narrative; they share familial ties that enrich their stories.

Nevertheless, the competitive marketplace creates significant barriers to any collaboration between Netflix and Amazon. The potential for engaging crossover narratives between Bosch and Haller remains constrained by these corporate rivalries. A partnership akin to what Sony and Disney established for Spider-Man seems a far-off dream, especially considering Amazon’s reluctance to invest further in the Bosch franchise. They currently retain the rights to Harry Bosch, and while he will appear occasionally in the Ballard spin-off, a standalone continuation on another platform seems out of reach.

Key Information about the Save Bosch: Legacy Petition

Support the endeavor to Save Bosch: Legacy by signing the petition HERE.
Pressure is mounting on Amazon to renew its longest-running drama series.
Fan advocacy proves crucial in the fight to Save Bosch: Legacy.

The Viability of Bosch: Legacy with Other Streamers

In February 2023, Amazon excitedly announced new spin-off plans for Michael Connelly’s Bosch-verse, introducing series centered around Jerry Edgar and Renee Ballard. While originally promising, by September, Amazon unexpectedly canceled Bosch: Legacy along with the Jerry Edgar project and shifted its focus entirely to developing the Ballard spin-off. Given that Bosch: Legacy has experienced steady growth in viewership during its first two seasons, it seems well-suited for a new home on another streaming platform, like Netflix.

A significant question arises: if Amazon is unwilling to explore further growth in the Bosch universe, why not allow Harry Bosch to transition to Netflix? Just because Amazon perceives the narrative of Bosch: Legacy as concluded doesn’t mean other organizations share that view. The fan base remains eager for more content. Although Amazon is intent on promoting its Ballard-focused spin-off, they likely still wish to leverage Bosch’s character to draw in viewers. Unfortunately, this approach does not align with Michael Connelly’s original vision where Bosch and Ballard share equal narrative footing. Permit Bosch to soar independently at Netflix while still facilitating impactful crossovers with Mickey Haller, enhancing both franchises’ potential.