Based on the books by Michael Connelly (Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer), Ballard is about the titular LAPD detective (Maggie Q) who is reassigned to a cold case unit after she dared to speak up about an abusive superior in her former department. The series deals with her trauma while also diving deep into police corruption and deep-seated discrimination. It does so through the overarching and episodic cases they take on. In this way, Ballard doesn’t differ from your standard police procedural. But it feels fresher than the other shows that have come out, thanks to Q and her castmates’ compelling performances, the layered approach the filmmakers take in depicting multiple cases at once, and the thrilling pace.
"If you’re looking for a procedural thriller that’s grounded by grit, genuine leads, and complex cases, “Ballard” gets it done."
— Sherin Nicole
"Smartly acted, beautifully paced and genuinely engaging, “Ballard” is a thrilling ride from start to finish."
— Aramide Tinubu
Detective Renée Ballard plunges into a web of murder and corruption as she hunts a ruthless serial killer and uncovers a sinister police conspiracy that threatens everything she stands for. With her own demons nipping at her heels, Ballard must outwit both criminals and colleagues to bring long-overdue justice to the victims and their families.
In Los Angeles, a former homicide detective is tasked to lead an underfunded cold case unit comprised of volunteers and retirees. Their main assignment? Find the reason behind the murder of a councilman’s daughter, who has been dead for more than a decade.
Between Ballard and Netflix’s Dept Q, streamers seem to really enjoy reviving the cold-case genre (no pun intended).
There is no shortage of police procedurals, but Ballard’s complexity and pace give it a step above the rest.
