Another bestselling crime novel from Michael Connelly is officially making its way to television. The author behind Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer is developing a new adaptation of his 2024 novel Nightshade for HBO Max. The upcoming crime drama, titled Welcome to Catalina, will focus on a detective investigating a suspicious death on Catalina Island.
David E. Kelley to adapt Michael Connelly’s Nightshade for HBO Max
David E. Kelley is once again teaming up with crime novelist Michael Connelly for a new television project. The Emmy-winning writer is currently developing an adaptation of Connelly’s 2024 novel Nightshade for HBO Max.
The series is currently titled Welcome to Catalina and remains in active development. Kelley is attached as writer and executive producer, with Connelly also involved behind the scenes. According to Deadline, the show is being designed as part of HBO Max’s expanding slate of returning procedural dramas produced with larger episode counts and controlled budgets.
The story follows Detective Stilwell, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff investigator whose career takes an unexpected turn after he is reassigned to Catalina Island. His new role initially appears to be quiet, largely involving public disturbances and small local crimes.
However, the discovery of a body hidden under the harbor quickly draws him into a much larger investigation that begins exposing darker secrets related to the island. The series is being executive produced by Kelley, Matt Tinker, Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson, Ross Fineman, and Connelly. The show is being developed through HBO Max in collaboration with A+E Studios.
The adaptation continues Kelley’s long-running association with Connelly’s work. In addition to creating The Lincoln Lawyer for Netflix, Kelley had previously attempted to adapt the author’s short story Avalon into a television drama centered around Catalina Island. That project was originally developed at ABC but ultimately did not move forward.
More details about the series are expected to be revealed as the project moves further into development.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
