Cast of Ballard TV Series (2025) | Maggie Q, Amy Hill, Noah Bean & Full Team

Created and developed by Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood.

Ballard premiered globally on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Distributed exclusively by Amazon Prime Video.

Series Review

“Ballard” opens with Maggie Q’s Renée Ballard leading a tenacious cold-case unit from the LAPD basement, balancing forensic precision with personal stakes.

Over ten episodes, two major investigations, a councilman’s sister’s murder and a mysterious John Doe protecting an infant, unfold alongside departmental intrigue.

Maggie Q’s performance combines steely resolve with quiet vulnerability, grounded by a diverse ensemble whose chemistry sparks in every interrogation and stakeout.

Clever pacing maintains tension without sacrificing character depth, and Titus Welliver’s Harry Bosch cameo enriches the Bosch universe without overshadowing the narrative.

While familiar procedural beats emerge, “Ballard” rises above with emotional authenticity and crisp storytelling, making it a must-watch for crime-drama fans.

Ratings

• IMDb: 7.5 / 10

• Rotten Tomatoes: 100 % critic approval

Ballard TV Series Actors

Maggie Q as Renée Ballard

DOB: May 22, 1979

Bio: Maggie Q first gained global attention with her breakout role in Nikita (2010–2013), where her sharp physicality and layered emotional presence redefined the modern action heroine.

She further cemented her reputation in Designated Survivor as White House staffer Hannah Wells, showcasing a blend of espionage tension and dramatic depth.

Role: Detective Renée Ballard heads up LAPD’s fledgling cold-case unit.

Single-minded and empathetic, she’s determined to give voice to victims long forgotten by the system.

Episodes: Appears in all 10 episodes of Season 1.

What to Expect: You’ll see Ballard remold procedural tropes, tiring bureaucracy, political pressure, and personal loss into a relentless crusade for justice.

Expect high-stakes raids, tense undercover ops, and moments of genuine vulnerability.

Favorite Things: In interviews she’s cited a love of early-morning hiking to clear her head before a shoot, and unwinding with vintage noir films.

Notable Works: Nikita, Designated Survivor, Divergent, Mission: Impossible III.

Courtney Taylor as Samira Parker

DOB: N/A

Bio: A breakout talent from the L.A. theater scene, Courtney Taylor earned industry buzz for her memorable guest appearance on Abbott Elementary, showcasing a mix of comedic timing and dramatic depth.

She’s equally at home in high-pressure drama and quick-witted banter, skills honed from her background in improv and stage performance. 

Role: Former LAPD patrol officer turned Ballard’s most trusted ally.

Parker’s on-the-ground insight and fierce loyalty become the cold-case squad’s moral compass.

Episodes: All 10 episodes of Season 1.

What to Expect: Parker brings heart to every case; her empathy helps crack alibis and opens reluctant witnesses, and she provides the occasional quip that lightens dark turns.

Favorite Things: She’s mentioned binge-reading sci-fi novels between takes and volunteering at her grandmother’s church on Sundays.

Notable Works: Abbott Elementary, Insecure.

John Carroll Lynch as Thomas Laffont

DOB: August 1, 1963

Bio:  A veteran character actor, John Carroll Lynch has delivered unforgettable performances in roles ranging from the chilling Norm Gunderson’s husband in Fargo (1996) to the eerie Twisty the Clown in American Horror Story.

Known for his ability to shift seamlessly between warmth and menace, Lynch brings a lived-in authenticity to every role.

Role: Ballard’s former partner, now a reserve officer who steps in when her investigations veer into dangerous territory.

He’s the seasoned hand she leans on when cases turn personal.

Episodes: All 10 episodes.

What to Expect: Lynch anchors the drama with quiet gravitas. His scenes often underscore Ballard’s emotional stakes, from long stakeouts to late-night debriefs.

Favorite Things: An avowed jazz fan, he often listens to Coltrane between takes and is known to read detective novels on set.

Notable Works: Fargo, American Horror Story, The Founder, Zodiac.

Amy Hill as Tutu

DOB: May 9, 1954

Bio: With a career spanning over four decades, Amy Hill is a beloved character actor known for her impeccable comedic timing and heartfelt performances.

From sitcom staples like All-American Girl to animated favorites like Lilo & Stitch, Hill effortlessly moves between genres. 

Role: Ballard’s grandmother, whose home is both a sanctuary and sounding board for the detective’s frustrations and heartbreaks.

Episodes: Recurs across multiple episodes.

What to Expect: Expect scene-stealers: sage advice over Sunday dinners, pointed quips when she’s had enough police jargon, and quiet moments that reveal the legacy of service and sacrifice in Ballard’s family.

Favorite Things: She loves knitting elaborate sweaters and telling tall tales of her own youth in Honolulu.

Notable Works: All-American Girl, Lilo & Stitch, 50 First Dates, Transparent, Magnum P.I. (2021–2024).

Michael Mosley as Ted Rawls

DOB: September 16, 1978

Bio: A Juilliard-trained actor with a foundation in classical theater, Michael Mosley built his early career on regional Shakespeare productions and nuanced roles in prestige television dramas.

Over time, he became a go-to character actor on TV, often portraying complex authority figures and emotionally grounded men.

Role: Reserve officer turned supervisor of Ballard’s cold-case team.

Rawls fights upward for better funding and shields Ballard from administrative red tape, though he can’t always keep her out of trouble.

Episodes: All 10 episodes.

What to Expect: Expect Rawls to be the procedural glue, securing warrants, negotiating with impatient brass, and occasionally clashing with Ballard’s more unorthodox tactics.

Favorite Things: Known to unwind with woodworking projects and foodie adventures in L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods.

Notable Works: Ozark, Seven Seconds, Sirens.

Rebecca Field as Colleen Hatteras

DOB: June 19, 1977

Bio: Known for her work in indie cinema and regional theater, Rebecca Field brings warmth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to every role.

Whether in gritty dramas or offbeat comedies, she excels at portraying deeply human characters.

Role: Dedicated volunteer in the cold-case unit whose civilian outlook provides fresh angles on long-stalled investigations.

Episodes: All 10 episodes.

What to Expect: Hatteras often plays the heart of the team, connecting with victims’ families, sifting through archives, and reminding Ballard why these forgotten cases matter.

Favorite Things: An amateur genealogist, she enjoys tracing family trees and sometimes unearthing century-old mysteries.

Notable Works: A Star is Born, October Road, The Residence.

Victoria Moroles as Martina Castro

DOB: September 4, 1996

Bio: Victoria Moroles began her screen career as a Disney Channel regular, appearing in Cloud 9 (2014) and earning a fanbase as Andie on Liv & Maddie.

She broke into more mature roles with Teen Wolf (2015–2017), where her portrayal of Hayden Romero showed off her dramatic chops and physical agility. 

Role: Law-clerk intern whose legal research and digital sleuthing help the team penetrate mugshot databases, encrypted drives, and sealed files.

Episodes: All 10 episodes.

What to Expect: You’ll see plenty of tech montages: fast-typing, code-breaking, and digital forensics, often intercut with comedic asides about viral trends.

Favorite Things: An avid skateboarder and digital artist, she streams her sketches on Instagram Live.

Notable Works: Liv & Maddie, Teen Wolf, Legends.

Ricardo Chavira as Robert Olivas

DOB: September 1, 1971

Bio: Ricardo Chavira rose to fame as the charismatic yet complicated Carlos Solis on Desperate Housewives, earning acclaim for his ability to move between levity and layered emotion.

Since then, he’s proven his range in intense political thrillers like Homeland and dark comedies. 

Role: A key figure in one of Ballard’s cold cases, his involvement pivots around a decades-old corruption scandal that still haunts City Hall.

Episodes: 4 episodes.

What to Expect: A performance that walks the line between charm and menace; Olivas’s personal stakes in the mystery drive some of the season’s most explosive revelations.

Favorite Things: A foodie who hosts underground supper clubs and a weekend triathlete.

Notable Works: Desperate Housewives, Welcome to the Family, Selena: The Series.

Noah Bean as Jake Pearlman

DOB: August 20, 1978

Bio: A graduate of Yale School of Drama, Noah Bean built his reputation on emotionally layered roles in prestige dramas.

He gained attention with his role in Damages and further solidified his status with a compelling performance in The Following, where he mastered the art of playing characters who wear their trauma just beneath the surface. 

Role: Brother to a homicide victim whose case Ballard reopens; his grief and determination to see justice done make him a powerful ally and occasional liability.

Episodes: 3 episodes.

What to Expect: Raw, heart-rending scenes that underscore the human cost behind each cold case.

Pearlman isn’t content with paperwork; he chases leads at his own peril.

Favorite Things: A competitive chess player and weekend trail runner; he’s often found strategizing new projects with friends.

Notable Works: Damages, The Pill, Nikita, The Endgame.

Alain Uy as Nelson Hastings

DOB: N/A

Bio: A mainstay of the Los Angeles indie film circuit, Alain Uy is known for lending quiet gravitas to supporting roles that often steal the scene.

Trained in multiple martial arts disciplines, Uy brings both physical precision and emotional restraint to his performances.

Role: Cold-case field operative whose technical know-how and calm under fire make him indispensable when stakes get high.

Episodes: 5 episodes.

What to Expect: Tactical support in high-tension sequences, whether it’s a midnight break-in or a surveillance stakeout, and deadpan humor when plans go sideways.

Favorite Things: Loves woodworking and has built many of his own props for indie shorts.

Notable Works: Gone in the Night, Canvas, Helstrom, Paper Tigers.

Hector Hugo as Captain Berchem

DOB: January 26, 1972

Bio: Hector Hugo channels lived-in authority into every role he plays.

With a decades-spanning career in television procedurals, he’s often cast as commanding officers, detectives, and tough-as-nails enforcers, always bringing a level of authenticity few can match. 

Role: Ballard’s no-nonsense LAPD captain; he juggles public pressure, budget cuts, and political payoffs while keeping a wary eye on her unconventional methods.

Episodes: 7 episodes.

What to Expect: Tense push-and-pull with Ballard; his orders can hamper her investigations, but beneath the stern exterior is a grudging respect for her results.

Favorite Things: A passionate bass guitarist who jams with local blues bands on weekends.

Notable Works: NCIS, Criminal Minds, The Iceman.

Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch

DOB: March 12, 1962

Bio: Titus Welliver has spent nearly a decade bringing Michael Connelly’s famed detective Harry Bosch to life, first in Bosch (2014–21) and then in Bosch: Legacy.

With a career spanning gritty dramas (Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy) and prestige thrillers (The Good Wife), Welliver’s steely presence and economy of emotion have become his signature.

Role: Retired LAPD legend who resurfaces as Ballard’s mentor.

He offers case-shaping insights and occasionally jumps back into the field when old favors are called in.

Episodes: 2 episodes (mid-season and finale).

What to Expect: Moments of mentorship that crystallize Ballard’s approach, plus a handful of electrifying Bosch-style interrogations that remind viewers why his methods work.

Favorite Things: A jazz aficionado who collects vintage records, and an avid biker who still patrols his old neighborhoods on his Harley.

Notable Works: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, Deadwood, The Good Wife, Sons of Anarchy.

FAQ – Ballard TV Series

How many episodes are in Season 1?

There are 10 episodes in Season 1.

Who is Renée Ballard based on?

Her character draws inspiration from real-life LAPD detective Mitzi Roberts, who served as this unit’s mentor during production, adding authenticity to Maggie Q’s portrayal.

Where was it filmed?

Principal photography ran from July to November 2024 on location across Los Angeles, including Pacific Coast Highway, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach.

Is Ballard a spin-off series?

Yes. Ballard is a direct spin-off from Bosch: Legacy, which itself continues the story of Harry Bosch.

The series centers on Detective Renée Ballard, who was originally introduced in Bosch: Legacy Season 3 finale.

How does Ballard connect to the Bosch franchise?

Retired detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) appears in select mid‑season and finale episodes, acting as a mentor to Ballard.

Conclusion

In the end, Ballard proves itself as more than a typical police procedural by marrying intricate cold cases with genuine character moments.

Maggie Q’s portrayal of Renée Ballard delivers both grit and heart while the supporting cast adds depth and warmth to each investigation.

With smart storytelling, well-paced episodes, and a nod to the Bosch legacy, the series offers a fresh take on crime drama that resonates emotionally and intellectually.

Whether you’re drawn to complex mysteries or strong character arcs, Ballard stands out as essential summer viewing.