Overview of the Cancellation of Bosch: Legacy
- Fans and actor Titus Welliver express significant disappointment following the abrupt cancellation of Bosch: Legacy.
- Michael Connelly, the original author, was the one to inform Welliver about the show’s cancellation, indicating a lack of direct communication from Amazon.
- The cancellation may be attributable to Amazon’s budget constraints and shifting content strategies.
Over six months ago, Amazon announced the cancellation of Bosch: Legacy, a decision that prompted one of the largest petitions in recent television history aimed at saving the series. Titus Welliver, the actor who portrayed the titular character, shared how he was informed about the cancellation, which was notably devoid of any explanation from Amazon.
Throughout the promotional period for Bosch: Legacy, Welliver has remained vocal about the show’s fate, endorsing the petition to keep it alive. Despite his enthusiasm, he admits to lacking clarity on Amazon’s decision-making process regarding the show’s discontinuation. Nevertheless, his genuine demeanor in interviews has resonated well with the fanbase.
How Titus Welliver Learned About Bosch: Legacy’s Cancellation
It appears that Amazon chose not to directly notify Titus Welliver about the cancellation. Instead, it was Michael Connelly, alongside producer Henrik Bastin, who delivered the news. Welliver recounted the moment during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating:
“I got the call, actually, from Michael Connelly and one of our producers, Henrik Bastin, because we’d already been in conversations midway towards the end of the season talking about the next season and ideas, and we were getting very excited about the prospect of that. I got a call from them, and they said they’re not going forward. It was a pretty brief conversation. We all expressed our disappointment, but we’ve all been doing this long enough to know that could happen.”
The disappointment shared among Welliver and the creative team is palpable. In Hollywood, the expectation is that successful shows should have the chance to conclude on a satisfying note. The original Bosch series was granted this courtesy, and showrunner Tom Bernardo indicated that both seasons of Bosch: Legacy received early renewals to facilitate their development. It raises questions about why Amazon could not extend the same consideration to the third season, allowing it the opportunity to conclude properly. Even though Welliver was aware that the show could face cancellation, the news must have been a shock, especially given his long-standing collaboration with Amazon.
Key Points on Saving Bosch: Legacy
- Support the campaign to save Bosch: Legacy by signing the petition HERE.
- Amplify the message by visiting the official Facebook and Instagram accounts for Bosch: Legacy, inform other fans about the cancellation, and share the petition link.
Titus Welliver’s Perspective on Bosch: Legacy’s Cancellation
Titus Welliver has dedicated over a decade to embodying Harry Bosch, and he believes this character deserved an appropriate send-off. While it’s not his role to analyze Amazon’s reasons for cancellation, he did share his thoughts on what might have influenced the decision:
“Sometimes it’s a myriad of reasons that I don’t necessarily understand. I do understand that, given the economy and things like that, there are a lot of studios that have been experiencing budgetary restrictions. But, as far as that, I’ve never had a conversation where I sat down and said, ‘Alright, tell me from point A to point B what it’s based on.’
Welliver’s mention of economic factors is noteworthy, especially since Amazon initially intended to film the original Bosch series in Vancouver, but Michael Connelly’s contract mandated filming in Los Angeles. As production costs rise with each season, Amazon may have opted to cut expenses, opting for cancellation instead. Welliver astutely points out that multiple factors could play a role in the show’s demise.
Moreover, the closure of Amazon’s Freevee platform may have influenced their decision, as the company found themselves competing within their own streaming services following the launch of advertisements on Prime Video. Coupled with Amazon’s strategic redirection towards new content, Bosch: Legacy was sacrificed instead of being given the closure it rightly deserved. The upcoming Ballard spin-off aligns with Amazon’s new vision to engage younger viewers, and the timing conveniently positioned this shift as a seamless transition. In a pointed statement, some fans believe that the decision-makers at Amazon lack the insight to recognize quality content. They anticipated that the audience would remain passive, but fans have since rallied together to oppose this narrative, as demonstrated by the petitions circulating. Welliver noted:
“We all have to continue with our lives. But if the fans have anything to say about it… and they are very clear about their feelings!”