Crossexecutive producer and showrunner Ben Watkins explains one major way the streaming series will be different from James Patterson’s bestsellingAlex Crossnovels. The upcomingPrime Video show’s castfeatures Aldis Hodge as the titular psychologist and detectivewho uses his intellect to solve difficult criminal cases and ensure that justice is served. In addition to Hodge,Cross' cast includes Isaiah Mustafa as Detective John Sampson and Samantha Walkes as Elle Monteiro.
In an interview withCollider,Watkins explained thatCrosswill not be directly adapting any of the plots from theAlex Crossnovels. He discussed why this creative decision was made and how focusing on new mysteries allowed the series to feel more timely. Watkins also revealed that Patterson"was thrilled"when he learned about the approach that the Prime Video series would be taking with the source material. Check out Watkins' comments below:
I think the biggest difference is I decided we would not do any of the books as the actual mysteries in our series. I wanted to do an original series. I felt like that would give me the best chance to make something current and timely and tap into what is actually happening right now in society. So, we came up with original mysteries, and when I told James Patterson that’s what I wanted to do, he actually was thrilled. He just thought this was a great way for us to give our fans the Alex Cross world and characters but with new stories.
What This Means For Cross
It Is Not Following In The Footsteps Of Prior Adaptations
The Prime Video show’s approachmarks a significant departure from previous adaptations. Morgan Freeman played Cross inKiss the GirlsandAlong Came a Spider, both of which were adapted from Patterson’s novels of the same name. Tyler Perry later starred in the 2012Alex Crossmovie, which was an adaptation of Patterson’s 2006 novelCross.Kiss the GirlsandAlong Came a Spiderare not considered to be amongMorgan Freeman’s best movies, and they were both critically panned, as wasAlex Cross, which was even more poorly received.
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Instead of trying yet another direct adaptation of anAlex Crossnovel, the Prime Video series is taking a different approach by telling new stories with familiar characters from the source material. This can bean effective way of exploring what makes Cross a brilliant and likable character, as he solves mysteries that are new to all audiences, including for those who have read all or many of the Patterson novels. The cases will not only be new, but can also explore more modern-day issues.
Our Take On Ben Watkins' Comments
This Is The Best Move For Cross
Even though it is not directly adapting any of Patterson’s novels,the Prime Video show can still be more faithful than its predecessorsby capturing the essence of what makes Cross a popular character. Patterson’s enthusiastic response to this approach is a promising sign that the series is headed in a better direction and has learned from the mistakes of past adaptations. The novels' beloved characters and suspenseful world will come alive with compelling new mysteries that can makeCrossseason 1 agreat detective show.
Cross
Cast
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.
