As a big fan of the Bosch universe, I always appreciated how the original seven-season show really dug into the underbelly of Los Angeles, especially the Hollywood scene. It wasn’t just about the crimes themselves, but the power dynamics at play. Both Bosch and Bosch: Legacy consistently centered around Titus Welliver’s fantastic portrayal of Harry Bosch, with each season presenting a new case for him to crack. Sure, lots of interesting characters popped up along the way, but let’s be honest, everyone was tuning in to see what Bosch was up to.
Showtime’s seven-season crime drama, Ray Donovan, starring Liev Schreiber, shares a similar gritty feel with Bosch. Starting in 2013, the show feels like a strong influence on the Bosch series. However, its unique storyline helped it stand out from the many other crime dramas on television at the time.
What Is Ray Donovan About?
Ray Donovan centers around a man who solves problems for the rich and famous in Los Angeles. He secretly handles their scandals, covering up crimes with tactics like bribery and intimidation – even committing crimes himself. The show regularly highlights the risks and consequences of this dangerous line of work.
The story takes a complicated turn when Ray’s father, Mickey, gets out of prison. The FBI starts investigating Mickey, hoping to uncover his criminal connections and bring everyone down. This creates a major conflict for Ray, as each season of Ray Donovan follows his attempts to balance his professional and personal life while avoiding getting entangled in his father’s illegal activities.
Throughout its seven seasons, Ray Donovan received critical praise and numerous awards. Jon Voight won a Golden Globe in season one for his portrayal of Mickey. The show continued to be recognized by major award shows through season four, with season three receiving a remarkable five Emmy nominations.
Why Ray Donovan Was Canceled
Despite plans for an eighth and final season already in place, Ray Donovan was cancelled in February 2020 after its seventh season aired. This decision sparked significant disappointment and online protests from fans who wanted a satisfying conclusion to the series.
In 2022, Showtime released a movie, Ray Donovan: The Movie, that essentially wrapped up the Ray Donovan series. Though critics felt it wasn’t as complete as a full final season would have been, the movie still provided a fitting end to the stories of Ray and Mickey.
Guy Ritchie’s MobLand Was Almost A Ray Donovan Spinoff
The world of Ray Donovan nearly expanded with a show originally planned as a spinoff called Mobland. Announced in February 2024 as The Donovans, it would have been a prequel focusing on the Donovan family working as fixers in Europe. However, by October 2024, the project shifted and became a completely new series, separate from the Ray Donovan universe.
At its heart, Ray Donovan feels like a forerunner to Bosch. Both shows depend heavily on the appeal of their lead characters to drive the plot. While Ray Donovan deals with darker subject matter, Liev Schreiber’s strong performance keeps the series engaging throughout its seven seasons.
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2026-02-28 16:20