The Lincoln Lawyer‘s future needs to avoid its current Bosch problem with another major Michael Connelly universe character expected to show up. The cast of The Lincoln Lawyer consists of many familiar characters from the pages of Connelly’s book series of the same name. The TV adaptations of each book utilize characters important to their stories, including Mickey, Lorna, and Cisco. In addition, the series takes some liberties by introducing new, original characters to the screen, such as Mickey’s first driver, Izzy, and his enemy-turned-lover Andy. These keep the show fresh, but also address one issue the series has.

The book series takes place in the same universe as Connelly’s other series, notably the Harry Bosch crime novels. The novel The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 is based on, The Law of Innocence, includes Bosch as an important character. However, Bosch’s books were adapted into a Prime Video series, with the character scheduled to return in the upcoming Ballard spinoff. While his story continues in the TV universe of Connelly’s Reneé Ballard, another character created by the author might appear in The Lincoln Lawyer‘s future. In fact, the precedent for his appearance is going to happen later this year.

Michael Connelly’s Recurring Character Jack McEvoy Appears In The Next Mickey Haller Book

McEvoy Will Be A Central Character In The Proving Ground

One major Connelly character that hasn’t appeared onscreen yet is Jack McEvoy. Introduced in the 1996 novel The Poet, McEvoy is a crime reporter who is originally investigating the death of his brother, Sean, a homicide detective. While initially ruled a suicide, the journalist discovers he was killed by the Poet, a serial killer who targeted police officers. McEvoy has since appeared as a primary character in two sequels, 2009’s The Scarecrow, and 2020’s Fair Warning. Both books also featured Detective Rachel Walling, who’s also had crossovers with Mickey and Bosch.

Now, Jack is set to return in Connelly’s 2025 novel The Proving Ground, the seventh of his books to feature Mickey Haller as the main character. The book focuses on Mickey representing the family of a girl killed by her ex-boyfriend, who was goaded into the murder by an AI chatbot. McEvoy appears as an observer looking to write a book about the case, but the pair eventually work together when the journalist discovers key information that could help the family. McEvoy’s role is crucial, indicating The Lincoln Lawyer‘s adaptation of The Proving Ground would need him to appear.

The Lincoln Lawyer Has Already Avoided Adapting One Of Jack McEvoy’s Earliest Mickey Haller Appearances

He Was Supposed To Appear In Season 1 Of The TV Show

Despite the important role McEvoy has in The Proving Ground, The Lincoln Lawyer‘s book changes already cut him out of the TV show. Season 1 of the Netflix adaptation is based on The Brass Verdict, which sees Mickey defending game designer Trevor Elliott after he’s accused of killing his wife, Lara. While there are some changes involving how the case is presented, the general ideas of the novel are still present. However, one key difference is that McEvoy, who has a role in the story, is cut from the book’s TV adaptation.

Harry Bosch also has an important role in The Brass Verdict, with his investigative findings being crucial to Mickey’s case.

McEvoy’s role in The Brass Verdict is brief, as the story’s core focus is on Mickey’s case. Yet his absence in the show despite his role in the source material indicates just how much the Netflix adaptation is willing to change. This is already going to happen in season 4, with Lorna taking Jennifer Aronson’s book role, defending Mickey after he’s framed for murder. But, when it comes to future appearances by McEvoy, it’s unclear if The Brass Verdict‘s adaptation means he’s gone for good. That’s because there’s one problem the show doesn’t have that applies to other characters.

Netflix Doesn’t Have The Same Problem With Including Jack McEvoy In The Lincoln Lawyer As It Did With Bosch

Bosch Couldn’t Appear In The Brass Verdict Adaptation For Different Reasons

Despite having a significant role in The Brass Verdict, Bosch was never going to appear in The Lincoln Lawyer season 1. This is because Amazon owns the rights to adapt the Bosch novels, meaning Netflix is unable to use the character. While Bosch: Legacy season 3 ended the title character’s run on his own show, he’s still going to appear in Ballard. This makes it impossible for him to have a role in the show, explaining away why he in particular wasn’t in season 1.

Given the major role [McEvoy is] going to have in The Proving Ground, if the show gets far enough, he’s going to have to show up eventually.

However, the rights to Jack McEvoy aren’t owned by another studio, with the character having not appeared in any adaptations of Connelly’s work so far. This means it’s possible that The Lincoln Lawyer could feature him in the future, even if he was cut from The Brass Verdict. Given the major role he’s going to have in The Proving Ground, if the show gets far enough, he’s going to have to show up eventually. As for when that will be, the current lineup of books that still need to be adapted indicates McEvoy can’t appear for quite some time.

Jack McEvoy’s The Lincoln Lawyer Introduction Likely Wouldn’t Arrive Until Season 6

He’s Still A Long Way Off (If The Adaptation Doesn’t Skip Any More Books)

The Lincoln Lawyer season 4’s story is being pulled from the fifth book, The Law of Innocence. If the adaptation doesn’t skip any more books per season, then season 5 would pull from Resurrection Walk, while season 6 would finally get to The Proving Ground. Based on this potential adaptation plan, McEvoy wouldn’t appear in The Lincoln Lawyer until season 6. This would give the series plenty of time to set up his arrival, offering him the important role he has in the story, thus not compromising the premise of the upcoming book.