Best-selling author and TV producer Michael Connelly’s universe expands Wednesday with Prime Video’s “Ballard” series.

Connelly’s LAPD Detective Renée Ballard was spun-off from his long-running Harry Bosch books.

Beginning in 2017 with “The Late Show” she’s now starred in six novels, Onscreen she was introduced with Maggie Q’s appearance in the Bosch series finale.

Ballard is a maverick who’s been demoted to assembling a volunteer team, literally in the basement, to review cold case files.

Maggie Q, in a Zoom interview, recalled being on a flight to New Zealand when she read the first seven “Ballard” scripts.

“I was surprised that I liked it. I didn’t know much about Michael Connolly and these worlds that he had built, so it wasn’t until I actually came back and sat with him and the producers that I felt we both had a genuine desire to do the same thing. It felt like it was something I should do.

“One of the big questions I ask myself is, What added value do I have here? Is there something that I can do that I don’t feel any one else can do?”

For Q (her last name is Quigley), 46, “Reading the books and really exploring the universe that Michael created,” proved convincing.

Ballard, she decided, “was just so cool, so unapologetic. She moved in this (lawless) world very seamlessly and had a totally different approach to robbery homicide than I had ever, ever seen a female detective have.

“I thought, ‘If we can take what’s best about the books and put it on screen, then I would love to do this.’ ”

Maggie Q, an action veteran, knows action scenes are essential in “Ballard.”

“We actually started filming the series on nights — a week of nights that was all action. It was exhausting, out the gate the first week. I was, ‘Oh God, if it continues like this, I might not make it.’

“But obviously I have a lot of experience. I know how to move, have a good physicality and take direction and work with coordinators really well.

“So, we were able to take their initial ideas and with my experience, were able to elevate what was envisioned and create something that’s our own and very unique.

“I think I bring a lot of value in that respect in making the action believable. Just because of my history. Knowing it’s me, that I do my own scenes.”

For authenticity, she credits tech advisor Mitzi Roberts.

“She has mentored me through the whole show. I spent a significant amount of time with her before the show started, training with her, going through programs within the LAPD. She was on set with me every day and truly invaluable.”

Prime Video drops 10 episodes of “Ballard” July 9