Bosch: Legacy Season 3 Needs To Explain This Character’s Absence

When Bosch: Legacy returns to Amazon Freevee in 2025, fans will once again immerse themselves in the shadowy world of Los Angeles crime, corruption, and justice through the eyes of Harry Bosch. With beloved characters set to return and new faces joining the cast, Season 3 promises to be one of the most ambitious yet. But it will also carry a bittersweet note, as one key figure will be missing: Chief Irvin Irving.

The absence of Irving is not a creative decision, but a tragic reality. Lance Reddick, the veteran actor who played the stern and calculating police chief across seven seasons of Bosch, passed away on March 17, 2023, at the age of 60. His sudden death, caused by coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic heart disease, shocked fans and colleagues alike. Now, the show must grapple with how to address the absence of one of its most important and enduring characters.

A Character With Weight

Irvin Irving was never just another supporting character. Introduced early in the Bosch series, he was a man of contradictions: a consummate politician and power broker, but also a figure with his own sense of duty to the city. While often an antagonist to Bosch, he was also an ally when their interests aligned. This complexity made him one of the most compelling figures in the franchise.

In Bosch: Legacy Season 2, Reddick returned for a poignant cameo in the finale, setting up what was clearly intended to be a bigger arc. Irving’s reappearance tied directly into Honey Chandler’s storyline, particularly her planned run for District Attorney. The suggestion was that Irving, with his vast influence and political connections, would play a major role in shaping her campaign — and by extension, the storylines of other characters.

That possibility, however, was tragically cut short.

The Impact of Lance Reddick’s Death

Lance Reddick’s death sent ripples across Hollywood. Known for his commanding screen presence, sharp voice, and gravitas, he built a career that spanned television, film, and video games. From The Wire to Fringe, from John Wick to Horizon Zero Dawn, his versatility made him a beloved figure in multiple genres and mediums.

But for Bosch fans, his portrayal of Irvin Irving remains iconic. He brought layers to the role, turning what could have been a one-note bureaucrat into a character audiences loved to debate — and occasionally even root for.

When news broke of his passing, tributes poured in from co-stars and creators, all acknowledging his professionalism, warmth, and artistry. For Bosch: Legacy, his absence presents not just a narrative challenge, but an emotional one.

How Bosch: Legacy Could Address His Absence

The creative team now faces the delicate task of explaining Irving’s absence in Season 3. Simply ignoring the character would be impossible, given the setup in Season 2. At the same time, recasting him seems unlikely; Reddick’s performance was too definitive, too ingrained in the DNA of the show.

The most probable solution is that Bosch: Legacy will write Irving out by acknowledging his off-screen death, mirroring Reddick’s real-life passing. Such an approach would be both respectful to the actor and narratively honest, while also allowing the writers to weave the event into the ongoing storylines.

This could have a direct impact on Honey Chandler’s campaign for DA. Without Irving’s backing, Chandler may find herself more vulnerable politically, opening the door for rival forces to step in. Bosch, too, may feel the ripple effects, as Irving’s absence alters the balance of power in Los Angeles.

The Loss of Gravitas

One of the great strengths of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy has been its ability to portray Los Angeles as a web of political, legal, and criminal interests. Irving, as chief, embodied the political side of that equation. His maneuvering, his compromises, and his rare moments of integrity gave the show depth beyond the traditional cop-versus-criminal dynamic.

Without him, the landscape of Season 3 will feel different. The writers will undoubtedly rise to the challenge, but the absence of Irving’s gravitas — and Reddick’s commanding presence — will leave a noticeable gap.

A Season Shaped by Loss

Season 3, adapted from Michael Connelly’s novels The Black Ice and Desert Star, already promises plenty of intrigue. With Bosch continuing to fight for justice, Renee Ballard’s introduction as a cold-case investigator, and Jerry Edgar stepping into the spotlight ahead of his spin-off, there is no shortage of storylines to explore.

But beneath all of this will be the shadow of Lance Reddick’s absence. His final cameo in Season 2 now serves as a poignant farewell, a reminder of both what we had and what we lost.

Final Word

Bosch: Legacy Season 3 will expand Michael Connelly’s television universe in exciting new ways, but it will also bear the weight of loss. Chief Irvin Irving’s absence, necessitated by the tragic passing of Lance Reddick, will leave a hole that cannot truly be filled.

The challenge for the writers is not just to explain Irving’s disappearance, but to honor Reddick’s legacy. If done right, his absence can serve as both a narrative pivot and a tribute to an actor whose work defined one of the franchise’s most memorable characters.

For fans, the season will be bittersweet: a chance to continue Bosch’s story, but without one of its greatest players.