Aldis Hodge, Ben Watkins of “Cross” share what makes their Alex Cross special

Three makes an attempt to seize creator James Patterson’s huge Alex Cross thriller franchise flopped on the large display. However Prime Video is betting that the small display would be the proper house for the titular detective with the brand new sequence “Cross,” starring Aldis Hodge, debuting Thursday. 

Hodge’s most notable TV roles embrace grasp hacker, pc specialist and gadgeteer Alec Hardison within the sequence “Leverage”; assistant district legal professional Decourcy Ward in “Metropolis on a Hill”; and Noah within the slavery-era restricted sequence “Underground.” However he stated nothing he has finished earlier than is like his function as Alex Cross or “Cross” basically. 

“The individual that he’s, the person that he’s, the depths that he will get to go emotionally are areas I haven’t been in a position to go to earlier than,” Hodge advised NBC Information. “On this case, it’s no-holds-barred: We’re going to the deep, darkish locations. We’re going to the enjoyable locations, the lighthearted locations, the emotionally weak locations, as a lot as attainable, as typically as we are able to, to actually paint an image of who these characters are, what their lives are, in juxtaposition to what they do. We’re not simply dwelling with the case and the killer and the homicide thriller.”

That core world consists of Cross’ two youngsters, Damon and Janelle, who, like him, are nonetheless grieving the homicide of their mom, Maria; his grandmother Nana Mama, who raised him and now helps elevate his youngsters; his police companion and childhood greatest good friend, John Sampson; and his love curiosity, Elle, who runs a nonprofit. Then there may be his work. 

To create this a lot fuller world for the sequence, showrunner Ben Watkins turned to Patterson’s many books about Cross, the thirty third of which is able to debut simply earlier than Thanksgiving.

“The early Alex Cross books actually inform an even bigger image of the character and the world, the household, the very best good friend relationship with John Sampson, the group of D.C., and I spotted that these issues weren’t as alive within the display variations, and I believe it’s as a result of they didn’t have the actual property,” Watkins stated. “I believe if you’re attempting to do a thriller in lower than two hours, if you’re compelled with a selection between plot and character, you’ve in all probability bought to do extra plot.” 

Telling the Cross story via a TV sequence offers the producers extra space to discover the world and the character. “I knew I might ship a terrific thriller,” Watkins stated, “however I additionally had the time to mix that with a personality research that raises the query, ‘Who’s Alex Cross in 2024?’” Morgan Freeman first performed the function of the widower and ace Washington, D.C., police detective within the 1997 movie “Kiss the Women,” after which once more in 2001’s “Alongside Got here a Spider,” named for Patterson’s first Cross novel, printed in 1993. Tyler Perry starred in “Alex Cross” in 2012. 

“There are quite a lot of the elemental core rules that come out of the books, however there’s additionally an up to date model that exhibits you a Cross that I believe is extra charismatic, has a physicality to him and is authentically Black, and I needed to actually painting a personality in that means,” Watkins stated. 

“I additionally needed to usher in the truth that there’s some sexiness to this character,” Watkins added. “He has quite a lot of relationships within the books, and I needed to have the ability to have some enjoyable with that as a result of I believe all these sides give us a fuller image of an actual individual. And I do know that this character must be relatable and actual if it’s going to work in 2024.”

That additionally meant the sequence confronting what being “Black and blue” means for Cross. 

“Sadly, the stress between legislation enforcement and the Black group is only a actuality, identical to it’s chilly within the wintertime,” Watkins stated. “And so I really feel like if we’re going to inform a narrative a couple of Black detective who’s a cop, if you happen to tiptoe round the truth that that pressure is there, then the viewers goes to know you’re mendacity.” 

Hodge is very pleased with having the ability to characterize the detective as a father within the sequence.“Clearly within the Black group, we get the stereotype of fathers not being within the house, which is definitely not true in any respect. It’s the exact opposite coming from two fathers who love their households and love their youngsters,” he stated, referring to himself and Watkins. “That’s one thing for me that is without doubt one of the biggest parts of who he’s and what we get to see and expertise with him.”