A First Look at the New 'Alex Cross' TV Show Making a Bold Departure From the James Patterson Novels

There’s a new book-to-TV adaption coming to streaming: Cross, the Prime Video show based on the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. 

Patterson is a prolific mystery writer who’s been pumping out bestsellers since the ‘70s, and Alex Cross is one of his most-loved works. While Along Came a Spider, the first novel in the series, was published in 1993, there are now over 30 books in the Cross universe, with the next installment, The House of Cross, expected on Nov. 25, 2024. If anyone’s a consistent writer, it’s Patterson, and that means there’s plenty of material to work with in the new TV show.

Here’s a rundown on everything you need to know about the Cross TV show, including its cast, release date and which book the first season is based on.

What is the release date for the Cross TV show?

The entire first season of Cross is releasing on Prime Video on Nov. 14, 2024. That means anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription will be able to watch the show for free.

What book is the Cross TV series based on?

Although Cross is a TV adaptation of James Patterson’s Alex Cross book series, it’s not based on any specific book in the series.

"I said I was not going to do any of the seasons based on the book,” Ben Watkins, the show creator, told Entertainment Weekly. “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. They'll get what those books feel like."

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For his part, Patterson agrees with the decision not to make it a direct adaptation. “It’s something I say when anybody is developing one of my books or characters: I much prefer the story be brand-new,” he said. “I was hoping the show would be a breakthrough and not dependent on the book, and it’s happened.”

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What is the Cross TV show about?

If it’s not based on Along Came a Spider or any of the other well-known Alex Cross stories, then what exactly happens in the Cross TV show?

Well, just like the books, the show focuses on the clever and pragmatic detective Alex Cross as he solves crime in Washington, D.C. Here’s the synopsis on Rotten Tomatoes: “Alex Cross, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist, faces a sadistic serial killer; he and his partner, John Sampson, track this killer and a threat from Cross' past appears with ill intent.”

According to series creator Ben Watkins, Cross will also not shy away from covering timely and important topics that exist in the real world.

“When you get a chance to see all of Season 1, you'll see just how committed we were to honoring the truths of the complicated relationship that exists between law enforcement and the Black community," Watkins said. "We do have a hero who is a detective and that is the show, so if we're going to have that conversation, let's make sure that it's a well-rounded one.”

Are the Alex Cross movies connected to the TV show?

This isn’t the first Alex Cross adaptation. Both Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry have played the iconic detective on movie screens, with Freeman taking the role in both Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001) while Perry starred in Alex Cross in 2012. The Cross TV show, however, will set itself apart from any previous adaptations. It’s a totally “new offering,” as Watkins put it, which draws up new mysteries for the characters to sleuth out.

One key difference between the movies and the show is the inclusion of Alex’s lifelong best friend, John Sampson.

“If you've only watched the movies, you wouldn't know [about Sampson],” Watkins said to ET. “Then you get into the books and you're like, ‘This relationship is so layered and so rewarding and so nuanced and comforting.’ They're inseparable and you know you can count on that. I knew that that was one of the things we were going to have to channel for the show.”

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How many episodes are in Cross Season 1?

Season 1 of Cross has eight episodes. While the episode length hasn’t been confirmed, it’ll probably be close to an hour in order to give the eight-episode season enough time to develop its characters and storylines.

Who is in the Cross cast?

The center point of the Cross cast is star Aldis Hodge, who plays titular character Alex Cross. Hodge is known for his roles as Hawkman in Black Adam (2022) and Levi Jackson in Hidden Figures (2016). He also starred as Alec Hardison in Leverage (2008-2012) and Assistant District Attorney DeCourcy Ward in City on a Hill (2019-2022), among other shows.

At 38, he’s younger than either Perry or Freeman when they portrayed Alex Cross; and he’ll have to convince fans that he has the gumption to embody such a man.

The full cast list is below:

Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross

Ryan Eggold as Ed Ramsey

Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson

Alona Tal as Kayla Craig

Johnny Ray Gill as Bobby Trey

Juanita Jennings as Regina 'Nana Mama' Cross

Eloise Mumford as Shannon Witmer

Siobhan Murphy as Tania Hightower

Sharon Taylor as Lt. Oracene Massey

Stacie Greenwell as Det. Shawna De Lackner

Melody Hurd as Janelle Cross

Caleb Elijah as Damon Cross

Jennifer Wigmore as Chief Anderson

Samantha Walkes as Elle Monteiro

Is there a trailer for Cross Season 1?

Prime Video released a trailer for Cross in September. While it’s careful not to spoil too much of the season, it’s clear that Alex will be trailing a dangerous killer and sets the tone for the series as dark, gritty and suspenseful.

On Oct. 18, ahead of the premiere, they also debuted a first clip from the show.

How to watch the Cross TV show

Viewers can watch the Cross TV show when it premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Nov. 14, 2024. All eight episodes of the first season will be available at once, and free to watch for Amazon Prime members.

If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can still rent or buy Season 1 of Cross; or you can pay the monthly subscription fee for Prime Video, which grants access to Prime Video content but not the other perks of Amazon Prime.

Will the Cross TV show be on Prime Video?

Yes! Cross is a Prime Video Original, so it will be available exclusively on Amazon's streaming service.

Will Cross be getting a Season 2?

Cross has already been confirmed for Season 2.

“I am thrilled to be embarking on another chapter of Cross,” Watkins said, as reported by Deadline. “Moments like this don’t happen by accident. Getting a Season 2 pickup before our first season even drops is a huge testament and vote of confidence in the amazing work our crew, cast, directors, writers and production team have delivered thus far. It’s also a direct result of the unwavering support bestowed upon us by Prime Video and our producing partners at Paramount TV Studios, Skydance and James Patterson Entertainment. I am grateful for all of the above and can’t wait to run it back even bigger and better.”

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