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Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage.
EXCLUSIVE: Crime novelist Michael Connelly has partnered with Fuse Entertainment (The Killing, The Good Guys) and writer-producer Eric Overmyer (HBO’s Treme) in hopes of finally bringing his Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch character to series TV. Overmyer has come on to develop and serve as showrunner and lead writer on the prospective series, Connelly told Deadline today. No network or pilot deal is in place. The partnership marks Connelly’s first Bosch deal following a legal battle between the author and Paramount over rights to the character. Until 2010, the brooding LAPD homicide detective and protagonist of 15 of Connelly’s 20-plus books was tied up in 15 years of development hell at the studio.
Related: Michael Connelly vs Paramount: How Harry Bosch Was Rescued From Hollywood Development Hell
Connelly says the partners first plan to shop the series to cable, and he sees The Killing’s serialized story line about a single murder as the model. “The Killing took two years [to solve a case]; we won’t do that,” Connelly said. “But what we are looking at is using the elements of one, possibly two, books a year, or a season.”
Connelly said he has the option of writing one episode per season, but plans to stay out of the writing process for the most part, as he has done when his books are made into movies (recently, The Lincoln Lawyer). “I couldn’t find a better writer than Eric Overmyer on TV,” Connelly said. “I’ve been down the Hollywood path a lot, and the conclusion that I’ve come to is that I should write the best novels I can, take them to Hollywood, and let them take it from there.”
Related: Michael Connelly Setting Harry Bosch Crime Series With ‘Dragon Tattoo’ Producer
Paramount had optioned two Harry Bosch books, Black Ice (1992) and The Black Echo (1993), back in 1995 but never developed either one into a movie. A 15-year option also gave Paramount ownership of the Bosch character so Connelly could not take it elsewhere. In 2010, Connelly sued Paramount to seek accurate accounting of development money spent so he could take advantage of a yearlong window to buy back the rights to Bosch.
The suit was settled in October 2010 and the buy-back window was extended to three years. Connelly then shopped Bosch around and finally bought back rights for an undisclosed amount after forging this new partnership.
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FINALLY! Thrilling Connelly news – go Harry!
I love the Michael Connelly Bosch series. I would definitely watch.
Hocus pocus Mikkel strikes again. Can’t figure out how he does it. Did he promise Connelly the fountain of youth. Magic jelly beans. Bondesen killed the killing. Of course they want to go to cable. No chance this gets picked up by a network. Shooting low is smart. I say go to HSN with this Mikkel.
I have long been a fan of Michael Connelly’s writing but the last thing we need on television right now is another cop procedural. The networks are filled with so many of them. I am disappointed Harry Bosch will not be a series of films and puzzled by Connelly’s choice of writing and producing partner. You waited twenty years for this?
George, if you think the Bosch novels are a nothing than a “cop procedural” I suspect you haven’t read those books very well.
The characters are deeply layered and a whole lot goes on between and among them other than police procedures.
love these books…I would say do one book per season or just craft an original story from a Connelly idea
Any idea if Klein is attached as producer?
Wondered why this has taken so long to translate to the screen. Connelly’s Bosch is a great character and his stories are always a good read especially for those who live in LA.
There isn’t any chance Tom Cruise will play Bosch…is there? Never could happen as Bosch doesn’t run anywhere although he did top smoking…more or less.
Bosch is a solid character. Hope this works, and works well.
One can only hope Tom Cruise will not play HB
I can’t wait to see who they cast as Harry Bosch. Maybe Eric Overmyer will bring in my first choice, David Morse (who is so great on Treme).
Long live Hieronymus Bosch! But, unless Connelly is strong enough to protect his character from all the no-brain sharks, I have a sinking feeling that Bosch will be shoved through the Hollywood development strainer and be turned to another TV pulp cop series… That would be cruel at best! (Michael C., take a look at the UK series MI5 on Netflix – That’s a series that Hollywood has tried to imitate, but can’t come close to doing)
I love Bosch, both Hieronymus and Harry.
I had been hoping for a feature film, actually. By the way, there are great audio books available of the Bosch series, with a very, very good reader who lets the character of Bosch come alive through the character of his voice.
This is wonderful news. I will watch every episode for sure. May even subscribe to DVR to make sure I can watch them any time I want! The Lincoln Lawyer was such a great movie and the casting was superb. No reason to think the TV series wouldn’t be more of the same!! Congratulations and best of luck to the project!!
I’m a huge Connelly and Bosch fan, but I absolutely would not watch this. TV, and a weekly production schedule will ruin this fine series. Harry Bosch should be brought to the screen, but only in movies, and only with MC at the helm of production. “Blood Work” was a mess, because of how Eastwood fiddled with it. “The Lincoln Lawyer” was quite good, and I’d love to see the same sort of continuity with any Bosch movies that make it to the big screen. Please, don’t make a made-for-TV series mess of my favorite detective!
Hear-hear!!!
I’ve read all the Bosch novels and have always pictured Anthony LaPaglia as the detective. He’s the right age and has plenty of experience, and he’s a wonderful actor.
Read everyone, some more than once! Hope we can get the TV series in England.
Eric Overmyer did a great job with “Lincoln Lawyer” in my opinion. Bosch would make a great TV series.
I have mixed feelings about this news I love all the Harry books and have a picture in my mind of what Harry looks like.
This is great news for Micheal he deserves this success I wish him well.
All of Ireland are rooting for you Micheal
Kay O’Sullivan
Ireland
William Peterson for Bosch! (Maybe John C. McGinley.)
It’s nonsense to think that the Bosch books couldn’t be done well on television. The key will be in finding a cable network willing to produce them in a fashion true to the tone of the novels. Shows like The Shield and Southland have shown how well police dramas can be done. Something of the same style would work well for the Bosch novels.
I hope they get the right studio to back this. A lot of could shows get shuffled around and then they get lost. The network has to stay true to the scheduling. I’ll quit griping and patiently await the outcome. Keep me posted!
Let’s hope they don’t pick some pretty boy to play Bosch. Handsomely rugged with some scruff on his face. I hope this works “The Lincoln Lawyer” was not what it could have been. And for godsake not tom cruise.
I will watch that series on TV ! or go tothe movies. I love these books and have all of them. Always waiting for a new one to come out. He is a great writer!
So loved THe Lincoln Lawyer film. Don’t let them mess with the story Connelly has written. That’s what makes them excellent.
Connelly is an amazing writer. He pulls you into the characters like an expert fisherman and when you are hooked he takes his time letting you enjoy the story and the possibilities and at the end he cuts you loose to think anout ot. Thank you Mr. Connelly. It was sad for me to see a preceding post suggest Tom Cruise play Harry Bosch…what in the world were they thinking? Did they really read the books? Cruise is no Bosch! Every Harry Bosch book I read I can only picture Bosch as Michael Imperioli…try it…I promise it works!
It would be great, if these TV series were shown in Russia.
My opinion the perfect Harry, should be Gerard Butler. He would be perfect for the part. I am excited about this new upcoming series. I am wotking my way through the Harry Bosch series. Michael Connelly is a genius at hidden facts, twist, suspense, it is very hard to put his books down. Will be watching for airing date. Please get Gerard to be Harry.