Michael Connelly’s 13-Part ‘Bosch Meets Fringe’ Sci-Fi Series Is Now A Distant Memory

Michael Connelly had a 13-episode sci-fi series that was a mix of Bosch and Fringe, but it’s long forgotten now. Author Michael Connelly has slowly and quietly worked his way into becoming one of the most successful writers of the modern streaming era thanks to his large body of celebrated and oft-adapted works.

The author behind the Bosch novels, The Lincoln Lawyer novels, and more has had his work adapted into shows and movies, which have all been praised either critically, commercially, or both. He’s done more than those well-known properties, however. Connelly’s been working in TV as well as literature for decades.

All the way back in the early 2000s, Connelly was co-creating a science-fiction series for UPN called Level 9. Level 9 ran for only one season and 13 episodes, and probably has been forgotten by all but the biggest sci-fi lovers. The series centers on a secret government agency known as “Level 9” tasked with solving and preventing cybercrimes.

It stars Fabrizio Filioppo, Kate Hodge, Michael Joseph Kelly, Romany Malco, Max Martini, and a handful of other flash-in-the-pan stars of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Connelly co-created the show with John Sacret Young, who is also an author. It was a very early 2000s show, from its cast to its plot.

A group of former criminal hackers, tech-savvy nerds, and government bureaucrats have to find a way to work together on Level 9 to solve America’s most pressing cyber issues. Cybercrime and stories about the internet were a hot topic post-Y2K, but it wasn’t enough to keep the show from being quickly canceled.

What Happened To Level 9, Michael Connelly’s Sci-Fi Series

Credit: MovieStillsDB

Level 9 faced the same fate as many network shows. It debuted to poor ratings and was never given the chance to find its footing before UPN gave up on it. Level 9 had some problems from the jump, starting with UPN, not a strong network to begin with. United Paramount Network was never going to be a place that could afford to support a low-viewed show.

In fact, only a few years later, UPN would merge with The WB to form The CW. Level 9 was canceled in January 2001, seemingly due to low ratings. Critics and fans were not particularly fond of the series either, and it currently has a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes.

As popular as the cybercrime conceit was at the time, Level 9 did not have much else going for it. Of the cast members mentioned in the intro, you may only recognize Malco from The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Kelly from House of Cards and Jack Ryan. There was never much of a hook for the series.

Michael Connelly Has Enjoyed Greater Success With TV Shows Since Level 9

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Fortunately, Level 9 was not the end of the road for Connelly. Since then, he has been a part of some major productions, both as a writer and sometimes as the creative force. He co-created Bosch and Bosch: Legacy for Amazon Prime, two shows based on characters he invented.

He’s also written for The Lincoln Lawyer series, another show based on his books, and he serves as the executive producer for Ballard, a Bosch spin-off series. Level 9 was little more than a speed bump on the way to his continued success in the medium. Perhaps, though, with his larger profile, he’d consider a reboot.

Release Date

2000 – 2001-00-00

Network

UPN

Directors

Aaron Lipstadt, Vincent Misiano, Goran Gajić, Norberto Barba, Robert Harmon

Writers

Jeannine Renshaw, Jordan Hawley, William Schifrin

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  Emmanuelle Vaugier

  Uncredited

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  Fab Filippo

  Wilbert ‘Tibbs’ Thibodeaux

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