Prime Video has officially announced the premiere date for its highly anticipated new crime thriller series, “Cross,” starring Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross. The series, based on the characters from James Patterson’s best-selling Alex Cross book series, will debut globally on November 14. All eight episodes will be available in more than 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video.
The announcement was made by Aldis Hodge himself at the 30th Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. “Cross” is a complex, twisted, and pulse-pounding thriller created by showrunner and executive producer Ben Watkins. The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television. In a significant move, the series has already been renewed for a second season ahead of its Season One debut.
Alex Cross, the central character, is a detective and forensic psychologist with a unique ability to delve into the psyches of killers and their victims. This skill allows him to identify and ultimately capture murderers. Hodge not only stars in the series but also serves as a producer. The ensemble cast includes Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, and Ryan Eggold.
Ben Watkins, known for his work on “Burn Notice,” serves as the showrunner and executive producer through his Blue Monday Productions banner. Other executive producers include Sam Ernst, Jim Dunn, Craig Siebels, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Patrick Santa, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Bill Bost.
The series is a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount Television Studios, and Skydance Television. Paramount Television Studios is known for developing and producing a wide range of cutting-edge and entertaining television programs across all media platforms. Their current programming includes “The Spiderwick Chronicles” on The Roku Channel, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” starring John Krasinski for Prime Video, and the popular action series “Reacher,” which is now in production for its third season.
Skydance Television, another key player in the production, is a leading supplier of premium scripted content across various platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+. They have produced some of the most successful series, such as the Emmy-nominated “Grace and Frankie,” “Foundation,” “Reacher,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “The Big Door Prize,” and “FUBAR.” Skydance’s upcoming series lineup includes “Cross,” “Neuromancer,” “The Runarounds,” an untitled comedy series starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, an action-adventure series starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham, and a drama series starring Tim McGraw set in the world of competitive bull-riding.
Prime Video, the platform where “Cross” will premiere, is a one-stop entertainment destination offering a vast collection of premium programming. This includes movies, series, documentaries, and live sports. Prime Video also features Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies like “Road House,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Fallout,” “Reacher,” “The Boys,” and “The Idea of You.” Additionally, Prime members have exclusive access to live sports coverage, including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, as well as acclaimed sports documentaries like “Bye Bye Barry” and “Federer.”
Prime Video’s extensive library also includes content from partners such as Max, Crunchyroll, and MGM+ via Prime Video Channels add-on subscriptions. More than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels are available, and Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, through Amazon Household. Prime Video is one of many benefits that provide savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. Customers can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters like “Challengers” and “The Fall Guy,” via the Prime Video Store and enjoy content like “Jury Duty” and “Bosch: Legacy” free with ads on Freevee. Exclusive X-Ray access allows customers to go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series.
Blue Monday Productions, founded by Ben Watkins and his wife Kandi, is dedicated to exceptional storytelling and community service. In addition to “Cross,” Blue Monday has a significant slate of upcoming projects in development. Their Breakthrough Artist Program, a three-month paid apprenticeship for writing, producing, and/or directing, focuses on increasing access and accelerating the learning curve for artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent and a commitment to community and giving back.
The announcement of “Cross” has generated significant excitement among fans of James Patterson’s novels and crime thriller enthusiasts. With a stellar cast, a gripping storyline, and the backing of major production studios, “Cross” is poised to be a standout series on Prime Video. As the premiere date approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a thrilling and captivating viewing experience.
Source: Amazon, Paramount, Skydance
