Cross
James Patterson ’s most iconic tec is getting a new life with Ben Watkins at the helm in Prime Video’sCross . The Washington D.C.-based detective and forensic psychologist has been the lead of 32 novels by the bestselling writer , and first made his way to the blind with 1997’sKiss the Girls , which star Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross , which he reprised with the 2001 sequelAlong Came a Spider , which was actually the first playscript in the serial . He would later be brought back with the 2012 dealership rebootAlex Cross , which starred Tyler Perry in the titular role .
Watkins first found success on covert with his work inthe spy comedy seriesBurn Notice , having started as a staff writer on season 1 before going on to be a story editor in season 2 , executive story editor program in season 3 and a author and various level of producer in subsequent seasons . Watkins also swear out as the creator and showrunner for the Ron Perlman - led psychological thrillerHand of God , which garnered consistent congratulations from audience across its two - season run .
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Watkins’Crosstakes an original approachto adapting Patterson ’s type for the sieve , not translating any of the 32 novels , but instead developing a fresh sheath for the titular detective to investigate . Aldis Hodge leads the show ’s ensemble cast as Alex , alongside Isaiah Mustafa as fellow book character John Sampson , Juanita Jennings , Sharon Taylor , Melody Hurd , Ryan Eggold , Eloise Mumford , Alona Tal , Johnny Ray Gill , Jennifer Wigmore and Caleb Elijah .
Ahead of the show ’s premiere , Screen Rantinterviewed Ben Watkins to discussCrossseason 1 , why Hodge was the " blueprint " for play the iconic detective , how he want to fight his star to " stretch " his talent for multiple seasons of bet Alex , and the two similarity he layered in to the piece of writing between Cross and the independent scoundrel , the Fanboy Killer .
Watkins & Hodge Have Known Each Other For Quite A While
“…I watched his career just sort of unfold, and every time I saw something, I was impressed.”
Screen Rant : Ben , I am love this version of Alex Cross . This is the perfect show for any Alex Cross fan that knows the character from the book serial publication of the past times , and it ’s also the unadulterated serial for any true - criminal offence fan . Now , we ’ve seen legends represent him before , like Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry , but this might be my favourite loop of the graphic symbol . lecture to me about why Aldis is perfect as Cross , and do work with him as a collaborator on this show .
Ben Watkins : Well , Joe , I ’ve got to tell you that Aldis Hodge was in reality the blueprint for the character . Even before I thought he was available . I had run into Aldis Hodge when he was a teenager . We represent in a hoops league in Hollywood , it was an industriousness league , and I watched him navigate along with his brother , Edwin , and I was so impressed by these guy . They were still just teenagers , but they were modest , and they were venerating , but somehow they had a very dominating presence , and found out a way to carve out , among all these egos , their space .
And then , I watched his career just sort of unfold , and every prison term I saw something , I was impressed . Every time I reckon him off - screen , I was impressed by how observing he was . I get laid how curious he was , I eff that he was extremely reasoning and had wide interests . And I started thinking when I was crafting the eccentric for Cross , " Well , there ’s one bozo that sort of exhibits these characteristic just innately . "
Cross follows the life of Alex Cross, a skilled yet troubled homicide detective balancing his role as a devoted father and relentless crime investigator. Haunted by his wife’s murder, he navigates personal turmoil while persistently pursuing justice in the face of dangerous adversaries.
So then , it became a doubt of , " Well , do you know that I want to take this version of Alex Cross on a veridical character journey ? " And a lot of actors are scared of that , particularly if you ’ve played Hawkman and you get to just be a grinder . " Are you quick to be vulnerable in front of audiences and be unfold as an thespian ? " So , I had to pose down with Aldis when it turn out that not only was he available , that he was interested in the part , and we had a three - hour conversation , and it very quickly buy the farm away from what the type was go to be to our views on the manufacture and our career paths and then life .
But it got back to that question , " Will you be o.k. with me throwing some things at you that are pop off to make you stretch and go space that are go to really go to a personal level ? " And his answer was , " I ’m at a point in my lifespan and my career where I need that . " And that made him the stark Alex Cross .
Cross & Fanboy Have Two Key Similarities Explored In The Show
“…they’re able to use people’s own human nature against them.”
Now , Cross has this uncanny aid to detail and looks at everything from all angle . It ’s a trait he seems to partake in with the character , Fanboy Killer . Can you blab out about their similarity in this story ?
Ben Watkins : Yeah , I think there ’s two similarity I want . One is sort of the horizontal surface of their intellect and drive . I tie those together , because you’re able to see unlike varieties of mind , but they both have drive and mind , and they ’re capable to expend that , and they ’re capable to use people ’s own human nature against them . So , Cross is using that to check multitude down in an interrogation , or anticipate what their next move might be . And Fanboy is using that to lure people into his trap .
So , the other piece that was really significant to me , and that ’s why I ’m so glad we receive Ryan Eggold to play the role , I wanted to sort of depart away from what I sense like mass have been doing with serial killers recently , which is making them all sort of fit out the Hannibal Lecter mould . I wanted somebody that was magnetic and seductive and also had a physicality , so we want to face for someone who could take out that off . And Ryan Eggold had that , and he had one affair else , he was get off of a show where people liked him , bonk him on New Amsterdam .
So I was like , " If any rooter from New Amsterdam come in there , there ’s decease to be a sense of care him . " Even subconsciously , even if you know he ’s the bad guy , there ’s still a residual effect of you saw him before , and you liked him , and I demand that , because I desire citizenry every now and then across the class of the whole season to be reminded of how a killer could seduce you .
AboutCross
Starring Aldis Hodge , Cross is a criminal offense thriller series that come ALEX CROSS , a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who confront a sadistic serial Orcinus orca leaving a drawstring of body strewn around the metropolis . As Alex and his partner , John Sampson ( Isaiah Mustafa ) , cross this killer whale , a mysterious threat from Cross ’ past appears , aiming to destroy what he ’s done to keep his grieve family , career , and animation together . Ryan Eggold , Alona Tal , and Johnny Ray Gill also star ; Ben Watkins assist as showrunner .
contain out our otherCrossinterviews here :
Crosspremieres on Prime Video on November 14 .
root : Screen Rant Plus
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Cross survey the life of Alex Cross , a skilled yet tumultuous homicide investigator balancing his role as a devoted father and unappeasable law-breaking researcher . Haunted by his married woman ’s slaying , he navigate personal turmoil while persistently pursue justness in the face of dangerous antagonist .
