Movies

Maggie Q brings the heat to cold cases in ‘Ballard,’ a ‘Bosch’ spinoff series

BBG News

For an aspiring actor, securing the main character part in a television show might appear as a perfect dream come true. However, it could also turn into a real-life nightmare, much like it has for Maggie Q.

The actress, who initially made a name for herself in Hong Kong action movies, landed the lead part in the 2010 CW spy thriller “Nikita.” In this role, she demonstrated her athletic abilities and became one of the rare Asian actors to headline a network drama series.

As a devoted admirer looking back, I can’t help but recall that project as an all-encompassing, demanding rollercoaster ride. It’s inspired me to be much pickier when making future choices.

When she was initially proposed the role in “Ballard,” Amazon’s upcoming series adapted from Michael Connelly’s popular novels about a fictional LAPD detective named Renée Ballard, her instinctive caution signal began to flicker.

Speaking about her frequent script offers, Margaret Denise Quigley (also known as Q) mentioned, “Many of these scripts don’t appeal to me. In fact, I wasn’t planning to take on another show. The question was: Is this something I truly wish to commit myself to at this moment? I am aware of the immense effort required to be the lead in a successful series. It’s not just about putting in the work; it has to be a project that is worth investing my time and energy again.

To her delight, she found herself captivated by the scripts. Following discussions with Connelly and fellow producers, she expressed, “I could tell I was surrounded by individuals I’d be happy to invest several years of my life alongside.

In the television series “Ballard,” set to air on Wednesday, Q has taken the leading role, as the show begins its run with ten episodes. This new program is actually a spin-off from “Bosch: Legacy,” which concluded its third and last season in March.

Initially, Ballard was introduced in Connelly’s 2017 novel “The Late Show.” Since then, she has been involved in resolving crimes in five additional books. The detective finds herself alongside eccentric attorney Mickey Haller (also known as “The Lincoln Lawyer”) and seasoned police detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch in the vibrant cast of Connelly’s characters. This ensemble, which has propelled novels to the top of bestseller lists, is now making its way onto TV screens.

Q immediately respected Ballard’s commitment to her work and her bold demeanor, which frequently clashed with her male peers. What’s more, she was captivated by the fact that this character was modeled after Mitzi Roberts, a genuine investigator who served in the LAPD’s esteemed Robbery-Homicide division.

In the show, the detective was recently moved from the Robbery-Homicide division to lead the underfunded cold case unit following a disagreement with her male colleague. She now oversees a team consisting of reserves and volunteers. Throughout the season, Titus Welliver, known for his portrayal of Bosch in both the main series and “Legacy,” will make occasional appearances.

Connelly is a dedicated admirer of Q, who gained prominence as the sole female member of the Impossible Mission Force led by Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible III”, and as a tenacious FBI agent on ABC’s “Designated Survivor.

Connelly remarked during a phone call that she exudes an unyielding, persistent demeanor. Additionally, he was delighted to find that Q and Roberts had several common traits: “Both of them possess a strong self-assurance and a fierce gaze,” he said. “Their histories align – they were both raised in Hawaii and are avid surfers. It seems as if their connection was destined.

Ballard” represents a significant departure from Q’s previous series, as evidenced by the 2024 Fox comedy “Pivoting.” This series follows the journey of three friends who are struggling to come to terms with the loss of another friend. In contrast to his role as a doctor, Q chose to portray a character who decides to work in a grocery store, but unfortunately, the show ran for just one season.

During a different conversation, Roberts, serving as a consultant for the upcoming series, expressed that Q was her top pick from the pool of actors under consideration for the role of Ballard.

She’s portrayed countless convincing and powerful female roles,” she remarked. “When Maggie landed the part, I couldn’t have been happier. From our initial coffee meeting, it seemed as if we were old friends. Before filming began, I had concerns about certain aspects that might prove challenging for her. However, she handled everything with a level of professionalism that made those worries vanish.

In the comfort of my Hawaiian abode, I recently shared insights about our upcoming series during a video chat. I reminisced candidly about my experiences on “Nikita,” and explained why I tend to steer clear of Hollywood gatherings. For your convenience, this conversation has been condensed for brevity and improved clarity.

Were you familiar with Michael Connelly or his books before you became involved with the show?

In the beginning, I encountered my initial introduction to his work through the first six to seven novels I read on a flight to New Zealand. Although I had heard of Michael Connelly before, my knowledge was limited. As an enthusiastic reader, I often find myself short on time to delve into fiction. Therefore, I wasn’t fully aware of his substantial success. Once I finished reading the books and enjoyed them, I became curious about Michael’s background and was intrigued to discover that he transformed a career in journalism into an incredibly successful fiction writing journey.

How important was it when you learned that Renée was based on a real detective?

Upon encountering Mitzi for the first time, our relationship developed quite unexpectedly. She felt more like a long-lost sibling to me. Her professional endeavors centered around resolving cold cases, where her unique abilities truly shone in linking the DNA evidence from crimes that seemed unrelated at first glance.

Despite the variety of projects you’ve been involved in, I find it surprising that this particular role seems unsuitable for Maggie Q.

I concur with your sentiment. There’s a strong emotional connection for me in this topic, as I feel a sense of endurance should be present. Many consultants working on this show are or were retired individuals, yet it seems they haven’t fully moved on from cases that remained unresolved. The peace they couldn’t achieve for certain families continues to weigh on them. These people possess an exceptional quality that I found truly inspiring. It was a privilege to share their stories and experiences.

Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer exhibit great dynamism. On the other hand, Renee comes across as more reserved and closed off, finding it difficult to form connections with others. Did crafting her character in such a way pose a challenge to breathe life into her?

Regarding Renee, working at Robbery-Homicide was her ideal role. Her goal was to apprehend criminals. However, the manner of her demotion left a sense of frustration within her. Now, she finds herself in a department that she neither desired nor requested, and feels compelled to excel there in order to be recognized as the detective she once was. Perhaps this will lead them to realize her potential and reinstate her in the position she cherished so dearly.

This program represents quite a change compared to your previous TV show “Pivoting.” It came as something of a surprise to witness you in a comedic role.

That job on the show felt like a dream come true. It represented quite an unexpected turn for me, which made it exciting. No one anticipated me in that particular role. It was a unique opportunity that came my way. Unfortunately, the show didn’t achieve the success we had hoped for. Fox suggested relocating the series to another country to revive it, but I declined the offer as I wasn’t prepared to move it.

I’m really interested in hearing more about your encounter with “Nikita.” You mentioned before that it was an extremely challenging experience, one that came very close to ending poorly for you.

Previously, all my experience was in films. I had never ventured into television productions, and I must admit, I was quite green. I approached it with optimism. During the first season, one of the producers, David Solomon, invited me for lunch. He had spent seven years on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and witnessed Sarah Michelle Gellar’s dedication as the main character. He posed a question to me: “Maggie, are you aware of what it takes to lead this show?” I responded honestly: “No, but I promise to put in a lot of effort.” He acknowledged my determination but challenged me further: “I respect your work ethic, but can you truly grasp the magnitude of work you’ll be expected to deliver on this show? Sarah Michelle endured for seven years, carrying everything on her shoulders.

On that particular show, I found myself terribly misjudging what was required. Despite my usual optimism, nothing in my skillset seemed to work during my time there. It’s not just about the task at hand; it’s also about managing people’s personalities, coordinating with writers, and juggling schedules. To make matters worse, I was on my own in Canada, without any backup, leading a show that I believed I could maintain for ten months of the year due to my work ethic. However, I was severely mistaken. Because I had experience with action movies, I aimed for a level of performance that had never been seen before. I was performing my own stunts and collaborating with top-tier choreographers. I am incredibly proud of the high level of action we managed to bring to the small screen.

People may find it surprising that you live in Hawaii. I know you were born and raised there.

My spouse and I reside in more than one location, but we spend a significant amount of time here due to its tranquility. There are hardly any cars on the road, crime is minimal, and the air quality is excellent. Unlike many actors from Hollywood, I don’t immerse myself in the industry. I don’t attend parties or socialize often. Instead, I focus on my job and return home, which suits me just fine. I’ve never believed that being noticed has much worth. All I want is to be at home, enjoy the company of my pets, and immerse myself in nature. This connection to nature helps me stay grounded. When I return to Hollywood to work, I maintain a sense of calm that no one can disturb.

This version preserves the original meaning while making it more accessible and easy to understand for the general reader.

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2025-07-09 13:31

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