Sharat Raju, a director known for his work on crime and justice-themed TV series, recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his involvement with the Bosch franchise. Raju, who has directed episodes for shows like Law & Order, NCIS: New Orleans, and Criminal Minds, shared how he found himself a part of the Bosch team and discussed his work on the two-episode premiere of Bosch: Legacy season two.
Raju admitted that he hadn’t watched the original Bosch show initially, but upon watching the first season, he became hooked. He praised the writing and noted that the show reminded him of The Wire, particularly in its portrayal of Los Angeles. Raju was offered the opportunity to direct an episode in the first season of Bosch: Legacy, which led to him becoming a part of the Bosch family. He also had the chance to direct the first two episodes of the second season, which he described as being like a mini-movie.
One of the standout scenes in the premiere episodes is the intense abduction scene of Maddie Bosch, played by Madison Lintz. Raju discussed how the scene was choreographed and ensured the safety of the actors involved. He revealed that almost all of the stunts were done by Lintz herself, with the stunt coordinators coming up with a concept and plan for the sequence. Despite the confined space of the set, Lintz’s performance was so impressive that a stunt double wasn’t necessary.
Lintz’s character, Maddie Bosch, is later placed in a coffin and buried in the Mojave Desert. When asked if Lintz was claustrophobic, Raju humorously replied, “If she was, she didn’t tell us!” He also mentioned that the scene involved real scorpions, with multiple ones being used during filming. The scene was shot on a soundstage, and the production team had to create special boxes to give the illusion of being buried in the desert. Light sources were strategically placed to ensure visibility inside the box.
Raju praised Lintz’s performance and noted how she has grown as an actor since the beginning of the show. He also discussed the difference between directing Bosch: Legacy and other police/detective shows he has worked on. He mentioned that Bosch feels closer to real criminal justice, with cases unfolding slowly and being met with administrative obstacles. Unlike other shows where cases are resolved within one episode, Bosch allows for a more cinematic and filmmaker approach to storytelling.
Finally, Raju spoke about directing Titus Welliver, who portrays the titular character Harry Bosch. He mentioned a particular scene where Bosch must potentially identify a corpse as his abducted daughter. Raju collaborated with the writer to modify the scripted reaction, and he involved Welliver early on in the process. He acknowledged Welliver’s extensive experience playing the character and his ability to bring a deep understanding to the role.
In conclusion, Sharat Raju’s involvement with the Bosch franchise began with Bosch: Legacy, and he has since become a part of the Bosch family. His work on the two-episode premiere of Bosch: Legacy season two showcased intense scenes and required careful choreography to ensure the safety of the actors. Raju also discussed the unique storytelling approach of Bosch compared to other crime series and praised Titus Welliver’s performance as Harry Bosch.