Maggie Qmight be all smiles on theBallardred carpet, but she’s no stranger to disappointment in the television industry — and she’s keeping her expectations in check, even as hernewBoschspin-off hits #1 on Prime Video. In a recent conversation promotingBallard, which debuted July 9, theNikitaandDesignated Survivorstar shared her excitement — and wariness — about what’s next for her LAPD cold case detective series. The show marks a new chapter for theBoschuniverse, but withBosch: Legacyunexpectedly wrapping up after Season 3 despite strong viewership and critical praise, Maggie Q is understandably cautious.
“I have no sense [of the future],” she toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “This industry is not what it was before. It’s barely recognizable to me, and shows are so expendable. They can throw out a show in two seconds, and it doesn’t make a ton of difference that whole worlds and livelihoods are at stake.”
Still, the excitement from fans has been undeniable. “When they made the announcement thatI was doing the show, I got more texts, more messages, more people reaching out than for anything I’ve ever done in my entire career,” she said. “People love crime.”
What Is ‘Ballard’ About?
Though rooted in theBoschDNA,Ballardis carving its own identity— and that’s what made the project so appealing to Q in the first place. “I have a high filter for tropes,” she admitted. “I’m constantly reading things, and I will have a cellular reaction to something if it feels tropey to me. My whole body will tighten up.”
The series, based onMichael Connelly’sDesert Star, followsDetective Renée Ballardas she builds a Cold Case unit from the ground up, solving murders the system forgot. ThoughTitus Welliver’s Harry Bosch appears in a few episodes, Q made clear this is notBosch: Legacy 2.0. And, while the future ofBallardremains in limbo, Maggie Q isn’t putting her life on hold. With several indie projects looking for financing and a recent wedding celebration in the books, she’s finally found balance.
“I want to be with my husband. I want to be with my dogs. I don’t have the big void to fill that I did when I was in my twenties, so I can say no to things with a smile on my face.”
Ballardis streaming now on Prime Video.
