A couple of years before bringing Harry Bosch to life, Welliver was part of the cast of Sons of Anarchy. Created by Kurt Sutter, Sons of Anarchy follows the title motorcycle club, led by Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) and Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), and the many conflicts and tragedies it goes through. Welliver was part of Sons of Anarchy for three seasons, and his character sets up the future of Bosch in Ballard.
Titus Welliver Played Arms Dealer “Jimmy O” In Sons Of Anarchy
Throughout seven seasons, SAMCRO and Jax go through many highs and lows as a result of the club’s activities. SAMCRO faces a variety of villains, many of them wanting to destroy the club, while others have personal issues with the club’s members. One that falls into both categories is Jimmy O’Phelan (Welliver), a street boss and the representative of the True IRA, who has a personal conflict with Chibs Telford (Tommy Flanagan).
The True IRA sells illegal Russian-made guns to motorcycle clubs, one of them SAMCRO, being their main source of weapons. The True IRA also has a human trafficking network, which, as seen in season 3, they disguised as Catholic orphanages. O’Phelan is one of Sons of Anarchy’s main villains during the show’s first three seasons, as well as one of the most menacing antagonists due to his power, cruelty, unpredictability, and knowing no limits when it comes to hurting others.
O’Phelan’s personal conflict with Chibs adds more tension to his relationship with SAMCRO, but it leads to one of the most satisfying revenge moments in all of Sons of Anarchy. Bosch flipped Welliver’s role and put him on the other side, but Ballard season 2 will throw him back into familiar O’Phelan-like territory.
Welliver’s Next Harry Bosch Storyline Will Be All About Gun Smuggling
Ballard debuted on Prime Video in July 2025 to great success, with most praise going towards Q’s performance and the overall tone of the show. Just a couple of months later, Ballard was renewed for a second season, and though it doesn’t have a projected release date yet, it will reportedly adapt Michael Connelly’s novel The Waiting.
Published in 2024, The Waiting follows both Ballard and Bosch as they investigate a 20-year-old case. In addition to that, Ballard finds out that her gun and badge have been stolen, which leads her and Bosch into a gun trafficking ring. Ballard will bring Welliver back into the world of gun smuggling, but now on the other side of the story, and in a different capacity than O’Phelan in Sons of Anarchy.
What To Expect From Ballard Season 2
Ballard season 1 ended on a cliffhanger as Ballard was arrested for murder, so season 2 is expected to continue this storyline to prove her innocence and find out who the real murderer is. Of course, Ballard season 2 will also have to go into why Ballard was framed and who is responsible for it.
Ballard season 2 will also have to make room to adapt The Waiting, although, like with many other shows based on books, this adaptation might be partial or just an inspiration for the new season. Bosch is expected to return in season 2, though it’s to be seen in which capacity. The connections between the world of Bosch and Sons of Anarchy continue, bringing interesting parallels and showing different sides of Titus Welliver.
Release Date
July 9, 2025
Network
Prime Video
Directors
Jet Wilkinson
Writers
Michael Connelly, Brandi Nicole, Galeesa Murph, John Coveny, Julissa Castillo, Kendall Sherwood, Liz Hsiao Lan Alper, Michael Alaimo, Ralph Gifford, Thania St. John
Franchise(s)
Bosch
-
Maggie Q
Detective Renée Ballard
-
Courtney Taylor
Samira Parker
English (US) ·