AsBallardcontinues to prove itself as a worthy follow-up toBosch, it’s no surprise that the detective spinoff has gained more viewers and positive reviews over the past week since its release. Up one spot and now ranking asPrime Video’s most-watched TV show in the U.S.,Ballardhas also retained its perfect100% Tomato Meter scoreon Rotten Tomatoes after receiving two more critical reviews since the last time the show was written about.
The consensus is clear: Maggie Q shines bright as Renée Ballard, the team leader of a new cold case unit in the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD). For those yet to witness howBallardreinvents theBoschfranchise with a new setting and solid ensemble, it’s time to meet the supporting cast of characters helping and hindering Ballard’s investigative progress as the team tries to link a serial killer to two unsolved murders.
Maggie Q as Renée Ballard
Maggie Q(Nikita, The Protégé) burns up the screenasRenée Ballard, an LAPD officer who was unfairly demoted following a traumatic work event perpetrated by a colleague. Asked to lead a new cold case unit comprised of reserve and volunteer officers, Renée tries to bury her trauma by solving as many cold case murders as possible.
Steely, determined, yet more laid-back than Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver, who makes a brief cameo), Renée Ballard is just as committed and compassionate to giving closure to the families of the murder victims as she is in leading her new unit. On the path toward redemption and salvation, Q plays the part with the physical toughness and emotional vulnerability that make her character deeply empathetic.
John Carroll Lynch as Thomas Laffont
Terrific character actorJohn Carroll Lynch(Fargo, American Horror Story) playsThomas LaffontinBallard. Thomas is the eldest member of the cold case unit, whose experience as a reserve LAPD officer helps ease Ballard’s mind and helps her remain organized. He is kind, supportive, and has more knowledge about the city and the LAPD than the others. Part of Renée’s trauma involves grappling with her father’s death. In many ways, Thomas also serves as a quasi-father figure to Renée, keeping her emotionally grounded outside work and focused while working on cases.
Courtney Taylor as Samira Parker
Courtney Taylor(Insecure, Abbot Elementary) gives arguably the most natural and convincing performance inBallardasSamira Parker, a former LAPD officer recruited by Ballard towork on cold cases. Parker, whose family has warned her against affiliating with the police, has a high-powered perception to go with street savvy that she uses to help Ballard solve crimes. Along with Thomas and Renée, Samira forms a kind of inner circle as the braintrust of the cold case unit.
Michael Mosley as Ted Rawls
Michael Mosley(Ozark, Sirens) portraysTed Rawls, an LAPD reserve officer assigned to Ballard’s cold case unit. Rawls is a prickly grump who constantly complains and views things through a negative lens. As such, he’s the most unlikable of the lot, although he slowly atones and becomes more sociable and sensitive over time. Rawls' negativity is often played for laughs, with his teammates poking fun at how overprepared and underprepared he is in nearly every situation.
Rebecca Field as Colleen Hatteras
Rebecca Field(The Client List, All Rise) playsColleen Hatteras, a cheery and overzealous volunteer working inBallard’s cold case unit. Prone to wild theories based on her so-called clairvoyant visions, Colleen is always positive and helps keep the team’s morale high, even at their lowest.
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Colleen’s zany spiritual side can annoy Renée while working at times, but her childlike enthusiasm is hard to hate. Despite being a volunteer, Colleen’s optimism and persistence help the team find new leads.
Victoria Moroloes as Martina Castro
Victoria MorolesplaysMartina Castro(Teen Wolf, Never Have I Ever), a law intern and the only Gen Z rep on the cold case team. As the youngest and least inexperienced member, Martina is somewhat reluctant to share her findings with the team, but slowly finds her footing and helps parse key clues involving two unsolved murders. Martina also gets romantically involved with a corrupt LAPD officer with ties to the murders, which threatens the team the closer they become.
Ricardo Chavira as Robert Olivas
Ricardo Chavira(Desperate Housewives, Scandal) portrays RHD DetectiveRobert Olivas. Robert is an odious individual who has used his authority to abuse Renée and Samira physically and get away with it without any consequences. Worse yet, Renée and Samira are the ones who are forced to leave the LAPD after his heinous mistreatment of them, underscoring the toxic corruption that is rampant in the department. Along with the serial killer linked to the two cold cases, Olivas is the internal antagonist of the show.
Amy Hill as Tutu
Amy Hill(Lilo & Stitch, Magnum P.I.) plays Renée’s free-loving, hippie grandmotherTutu. Offering support and spiritual counsel, Renée often jokes and calls her grandmother Dr. Tutu for all the helpful (and intrusive) advice she gives.
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Renée and Tutu live together on the beachfront in West Los Angeles, where Renée often meditates on the ocean while surfing and walking her dog. Tutu usually encourages Renée to forget about her stressful job and enjoy herself while she still can.
Noah Bean as Jake Pearlman
Noah Bean(Nikita, Damages) playsJake Pearlmaninthe American police procedural, an influential city politician whose sister is one of the cold case victims that Renée’s team is trying to solve. As Season 1 advances, Jake gives the severely underfunded cold case unit the support and resources it needs to solve his sister’s murder and find the serial killer linked to a second murder. Yet, with ties to the LAPD as well, Jake’s relationship to the law enforcement establishment complicates the investigation.
Michael Cassidy as Aaron
Michael Cassidy(The O.C., Men at Work) portraysAaron, a beach lifeguard who shares a hot-cold romance with Renée inBallard. Whether giving Renée solace as she walks her dog along the beach while on duty, or getting intimate with Renée at home, Aaron is there to help ease Renée’s stresses and get her mind off work. Tutu encourages Renée to pursue a more serious relationship with Aaron, but Renée is in no rush, given what transpired with Olivas.
Ballardis available to stream on Prime Video
