James Patterson’s most iconic detective is getting new life with Ben Watkins at the helm at Prime Video Cross. The Washington DC-based detective and forensic psychologist was the protagonist of 32 novels by the best-selling author and first hit the screen in 1997. Kiss the girlsstarring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross, which he reprized in the 2001 sequel Along came a spiderwhich was actually the first book in the series. He would later be brought back with the 2012 franchise reboot Alex Cruzwhich starred Tyler Perry in the titular role.
Watkins first found on-screen success with his work on the spy comedy series Burn warninghaving started as a writer in Season 1 before becoming story editor in Season 2, executive story editor in Season 3, and writer and various levels of producer in subsequent seasons. Watkins also served as creator and showrunner of the Ron Perlman-led psychological thriller. Hand of Godwhich received consistent praise from audiences throughout its two seasons.
Watkins’ Cross takes an original approach to adapting Patterson’s character for the screen, not translating any of the 32 novels, but developing a new case for the titular detective to investigate. Aldis Hodge leads the show’s cast as Alex, alongside Isaiah Mustafa as the book character John Sampson, Juanita Jennings, Sharon Taylor, Melody Hurd, Ryan Eggold, Eloise Mumford, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, Jennifer Wigmore and Caleb Elijah .
Before the program’s premiere, Screen speech interviewed Ben Watkins to discuss Cross Season 1 Why Hodge Was the “plant“for playing the iconic detective, how he wanted to take his star to”stretch“His talent for several seasons playing Alex, and the two similarities he put into the writing between Cross and the main villain, the Fanboy Killer.
Watkins and Hodge have known each other for some time
“…I watched his career unfold and every time I saw something, I was amazed.”
Screen Rant: Ben, I’m loving this version of Alex Cross. This is the perfect show for any Alex Cross fan who knows the character from the past book series, and it’s also the perfect series for any true crime fan. We’ve seen legends play him before, like Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry, but this might be my favorite version of the character. Talk to me about why Aldis is perfect as Cross and working with him as a collaborator on this show.
Ben Watkins: Well, Joe, I have to say that Aldis Hodge was actually the model for the character. Even before I thought he was available. I met Aldis Hodge when he was a teenager. We played in a basketball league in Hollywood, it was an industrial league, and I watched him sail along with his brother, Edwin, and I was very impressed with those guys. They were still teenagers, but they were humble and respectful, but somehow they had a very imposing presence and they found a way to carve out, among all these egos, their space.
And so, I watched his career unfold and every time I saw something, I was amazed. Every time I saw him off-screen, I was struck by how observant he was. I knew how curious he was, I knew he was extremely intelligent and had broad interests. And I started thinking when I was creating the character for Cross, “Well, there’s a guy who innately exhibits these characteristics.”
So it became a question of, “Well, did you know that I want to take this version of Alex Cross on a real character journey?” And a lot of actors are afraid of that, especially if you played Hawkman and you’re just a hero. “Are you ready to be vulnerable in front of an audience and be stretched as an actor?” So, I had to sit down with Aldis when I found out that he was not only available, but also interested in the role, and we had a three-hour conversation, and it quickly moved away from what the character was doing. be it for our opinions on the industry and our career plans and then life.
But it came back to the question: “Will you be okay if I throw some things at you that will make you push yourself and go to places that will really get to you on a personal level?” And his response was, “I’m at a point in my life and my career where I want that.” And that made him the perfect Alex Cross.
Cross and Fanboy have two important similarities explored in the show
“…they are able to use people’s human nature against them.”
Now, Cross has incredible attention to detail and looks at everything from every angle. It’s a trait he appears to share with the character Fanboy Killer. Can you talk about your similarities in this story?
Ben Watkins: Yes, I think there are two similarities that I wanted. One of them is the level of your intellect and motivation. I tie them together, because you can see different varieties of intellect, but they both have motivation and intellect, and are able to use that, and are able to use people’s own human nature against them. So Cross is using this to break people down in an interrogation or anticipate what their next move will be. And Fanboy is using this to lure people into his traps.
So the other piece that was really important to me, which is why I’m so happy that we got Ryan Eggold to play the role, I wanted to move away from what I feel like people have been doing with serial killers recently, which makes that everyone fits the Hannibal Lecter mold. I wanted someone who was charismatic and seductive and also had physicality, so we wanted to look for someone who could do that. And Ryan Eggold had that, and there was one more thing, he was coming off a show where people liked him, loved him in New Amsterdam.
So I thought, “If any New Amsterdam fans come there, there will be a feeling of liking him.” Even unconsciously, even if you know he’s the villain, there’s still a residual effect of you having seen him before and liking him, and I needed that, because I want people from time to time, throughout the season, be reminded of how a killer could seduce you.
On Cross
Starring Aldis Hodge, Cross is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated DC homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer who leaves a series of bodies scattered across the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he has done to keep his family, his career and his life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.
Check out our others Cross interviews here:
Source: Rant Plus Screen