The Prime Video crime thriller Cross once again brings the beloved James Patterson literary character to life in spectacular fashion, with Leverage alum Aldis Hodge taking on the exhilarating role of the brilliant D.C. forensic psychologist and detective Alex Cross. The highly-buzzed about series will follow Cross as he utilizes his exceptional capability of digging into the psyches of dangerous killers and their victims in order to identify and catch some of the country’s most violent offenders.
The heart-racing original will consist of eight episodes in its first season and has already been greenlit for an additional second installment, likely following in the footsteps of fellow book adaptation Prime hit Reacher. The determined detective has already been brought to the big screen in three less-than-warmly received films, with both the great Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry tackling the epic role. Let’s jump in and explore how Cross will relate to the James Patterson novels.
- Release Date
- November 14, 2024
- Cast
- Aldis Hodge , Jennifer Wigmore , Mercedes de la Zerda , Sharon Taylor , Siobhan Murphy , Stacie Greenwell , Ashley Rios , matthew lillard
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Ben Watkins
Aldis Hodge Headlines the Gripping Crime Thriller
Leverage breakout star Aldis Hodge is further proving himself to be one of Hollywood’s most talented and criminally underrated leading men, as the actor is set to tackle the exciting role of Metropolitan Police Department detective Alex Cross in the crime thriller series Cross. The Prime Video original will focus on the resilient D.C. detective and forensic psychologist who possesses the wondrous ability to masterfully delve into the spine-tingling psyche of the world’s most deranged killers and their victims in order to catch and identify the culprits.
After the devastating murder of his beloved wife Maria a year prior, Alex works closely alongside his close friend and partner John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) to solve cases and hunt down bad guys, all-the-while trying to search for the killer responsible for Maria’s heartbreaking death. Though Cross initially wants to take a leave of absence from his mentally-draining position to get his personal life in order, he finds himself pulled back in and tasked with looking into a potential BLM-related death. As Cross looks into the serial killer known as The Fanboy, he begins to be taunted and targeted by someone connected to his wife’s murder.
How Cross Relates to the Bestselling Patterson Series
Unlike many book-to-television adaptations, the creative team behind Cross opted against adapting one specific novel from James Patterson’s bestselling novels and instead set out to craft a brand-new universe inspired by the savvy literary detective. According to Aldis Hodge, series creator Ben Watkins felt compelled to take “the bone structure of that world and fill it up with a beautiful story,” therefore keeping audiences on their toes as they become heavily invested in Cross’ noble crusade to catch dangerous killers. Watkins did not want to base any of the show’s seasons on the pre-existing books, telling the EW ahead of Cross‘ release:
“I thought it was really important that we give fans a new offering, that we honor the characters and the world so that they would feel like they were getting what they signed up for, but also then give them a new story.”
Though the storylines in the crime thriller may be entirely original, the essence of Alex Cross remains present in Cross as he fearlessly delves into the psychosis of serial killers and their prey, with the brilliant forensic psychologist relying on his keen skills and intellect to catch the criminals with the help of his right-hand-man John Sampson. Cross’ job, workplace, and personal life will also be familiar for longtime fans of the Patterson novels, as the widower and doting father attempts to juggle his professional obligations and his responsibilities to his two children, Janelle and Damon.
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Hodge’s version of Cross is fueled by his obsessive desire to protect the innocent and as well as his family, with the D.C. detective struggling with the profound loss of his wife Maria and feeling like a failure because he was unable to save her from her horrific fate. Cross’ tough and spirited grandmother Nana Mama (Juanita Jennings) is also an important character in both the novels and TV adaptation, and audiences will enjoy getting to know faces both old and new in the taut thriller. Patterson himself is thrilled about Cross and Aldis Hodge’s winning portrayal of the unforgettable protagonist, having excitedly said of the show and actor:
”
I was hoping the show would be a breakthrough and not dependent on the book, and it’s happened.
He’s great at portraying the issues of trying to be a detective and raising a family in this country right now. And he’s got some of that charisma stuff going on, too. What do the kids call it? Rizz?”
Alex Cross Remains a Hollywood Go-To
Passionate fans of both James Patterson and his electrifying book series will likely be in for a real treat with Cross, as the internet has been buzzing over the upcoming original and how the detective’s entertaining storyline will unfold on screen. The Patterson novels have been dazzling readers since the debut novel was released in 1993, with the overwhelming success of Along Came a Spider leading to a slew of sensational sequels as well as three big screen adaptations and the highly-anticipated Prime Video extravaganza.
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Cinema legend Morgan Freeman first originated the role of the determined forensic psychologist and detective in the 1997 neo-noir psychological thriller Kiss the Girls, appearing alongside Ashley Judd and Cary Elwes in the taut picture. While Freeman’s compelling performance as the calculating and seasoned Cross garnered praise, the film was not well-received by critics despite earning a solid $60.5 million; he would return for the 2001 follow-up Along Came a Spider, which proved to be a hit with moviegoers and brought in more than $105 million.
Actor, filmmaker, and playwright Tyler Perry decided to try his hand at the unforgettable literary character in 2012 with the action thriller Alex Cross, which was based on the novel Cross and also failed to impress both audiences and critics, going on to be critically panned and become a box office dud. It’s been over 12years since the detective has been featured in a Hollywood production, and the TV series is already generating positive praise for Aldis Hodge’s brilliant portrayal, as Cross currently holds a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score with the website’s consensus deeming the actor “the most arresting embodiment of James Patterson’s literary creation yet.”
Stream Cross on Prime Video.