HBO Max is officially developing a new crime drama adaptation based on a novel from bestselling author Michael Connelly (The Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch, Blood Work). According to Screen Rant, the upcoming series, titled Welcome to Catalina, is based on Connelly’s 2024 novel “Nightshade” and will be written and executive produced by David E. Kelley (The Practice, Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal).
The series follows former Los Angeles County Sheriff detective Stilwell, who is reassigned to Catalina Island where he spends most of his days handling drunken disturbances and minor crimes. He ultimately becomes entangled in a much larger investigation after discovering a body at the bottom of the harbor. HBO Max is reportedly planning for the series to release new seasons annually with extended episode counts similar to the streaming platform’s recent success The Pitt starring Noah Wyle (ER, A Few Good Men, Donnie Darko).
Kelley will executive produce the adaptation alongside Connelly, marking another collaboration between the pair following Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Magnificent Seven, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Murder on the Orient Express). Kelley was also previously attached to adapt Connelly’s Avalon for ABC before the project was ultimately scrapped by the network.
HBO Max is reportedly looking to expand its lineup of moderate-budget procedural dramas following the breakout success of The Pitt. Additional HBO Max projects currently in development under a similar release strategy include American Blue starring Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, This Is Us, Gamer) and How to Survive Without Me starring Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Big Sick, Ice Age).
Connelly’s work has become one of the most successful crime television franchises in recent years through multiple streaming adaptations. Titus Welliver (The Town, Argo, Transformers: Age of Extinction) portrayed Harry Bosch throughout Bosch and Bosch: Legacy. Cameron Monaghan (The Giver, Shameless, Tron: Ares) is set to portray a younger version of the detective in the upcoming prequel series Bosch: Start of Watch.
Beyond The Lincoln Lawyer, Kelley has also become known for several acclaimed television dramas including Love & Death, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing, and Big Sky. Kelley previously worked with HBO on Big Little Lies, which became one of the network’s most successful drama series.