James Patterson's best-selling book series, Cross, has made its small-screen debut on Amazon Prime Video, and the mystery thriller has already been renewed for a second season. The series concerns the titular Alex Cross, a detective in Washington D.C., who uses his background in forensic psychology to get into the minds of killers and solve some of the capital's most difficult cases. Alex Cross has long been one of Patterson's most famous fictional heroes, and the Amazon Prime Video TV series is hardly the first time the beloved detective has been seen on screen.

What makes the TV show different from popular Alex Cross movies like 1997's Kiss the Girls or 2001's Along Came a Spider, is that the show merely uses the character as a jumping-off point to tell a new story. Not adapting any particular Alex Cross novel was a bold choice, but it helps separate the show from contemporaries such as Reacher, that spend each season tackling one of the character's many literary adventures. Confident that Cross will be yet another thriller mainstay for the platform, Amazon Prime Video preemptively renewed the James Patterson adaptation for a sophomore season.

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Cross Season 2 Latest News

Filming Has Wrapped On Season 2

Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross in Amazon's Cross
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon.

With the show's renewal out of the way long before season 1 even debuted, the latest news confirms that filming has already wrapped on Cross season 2. Announced nearly a month before season 1 dropped on Prime Video, it has now been confirmed that the sophomore outing is not only coming soon, but that principal photography is completed. Though many details remain elusive regarding what is to come in the next set of episodes, it's clear that Amazon is rushing out the first two seasons of the show in order to spur interest.

Though a timeline for season 2's release hasn't been revealed, it probably won't drop too close to the premiere of season 1.

Long waits for shows in the streaming era have become the norm, but Amazon is clearly trying to buck that trend by keeping things on a yearly schedule. Though a timeline for season 2's release hasn't been revealed, it probably won't drop too close to the premiere of season 1. What that allows Cross to do is maintain a yearly release schedule, something that's increasingly difficult in the modern age. Series creator Ben Watkins appeared at New York Comic Con in October 2024, and jokingly quipped:

"I just want to preface this by saying if you do have something [you want from season 2], I hope that it will be something you did see, because it's already shot."

Cross Season 2 Is Confirmed

Amazon Ordered Season 2 Before The Season 1 Premiere

Alex Cross finding evidence of how Peter and Nancy targeted his family

Viewers weren't kept in suspense when it came to a follow-up season for Cross, and Amazon Prime Video actually announced season 2 long before season 1 even premiered. With updates coming fast throughout 2024 regarding the James Patterson series, Prime Video revealed that Cross season 2 was in the works all the way back in May 2024. This date came months before season 1 even had a release date, and it's clear that Prime Video was always planning two seasons from the start.

Cross season 1 debuted on November 14, 2024.

Unlike most modern TV series that have protracted production timelines that stretch on for years, Cross season 2 is likely to arrive sooner than expected. With the sophomore outing already filmed, the post-production process is most likely already almost completed. However, a release date hasn't been announced yet, and Prime Video is likely holding onto the second season until the right time to release it. It could be that Cross season 2 will arrive in the fall like its predecessor, or it could come in late summer 2025.

Every adaptation of James Patterson's Alex Cross is listed in the chart below:

Film/TV Series

Release Year

Rotten Tomatoes Score

Kiss the Girls

1997

34%

Along Came a Spider

2001

32%

Alex Cross

2012

11%

Cross Season 1

2014

76%

Cross Season 2 Cast Details

New Cast Have Already ed Season 2

The cast of Cross is expected to fluctuate each season, but there is a core group that should return. Leading the series is Leverage star Aldis Hodge as the titular detective, and he brings a new wrinkle to the character not seen in previous adaptations. ing him is Isaiah Mustafa as Cross' partner, Detective John Sampson, and their bond is one of the most important aspects to the Alex Cross character. Cross' family is also expected to return in season 2, and the devoted family man has built his life around his kids in the wake of his wife's death.

Hodge and Mustafa have already confirmed their returns in interviews.

Though recurring cast are very important to the show's continuity, Cross season 2 has also added new names as well, some of whom are well-known figures. First, Scream and Five Nights at Freddy's star Matthew Lillard has been tapped to play Lance, who is described as a cutthroat business tycoon. Lance could be one of Ramsey's (Ryan Eggold) high-powered collaborators, but nothing is confirmed. Next, Jeanine Mason (Roswell, New Mexico) will play a vengeful judge named Rebecca, while Wes Chatham (The Expanse) is playing Donnie, a far-right-leaning military veteran who is now a farmer by trade.

The cast of Cross season 2 will likely include:

Actor

Cross Role

Aldis Hodge

Alex Cross

Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross Sitting at a Desk in Cross

Isaiah Mustafa

John Sampson

Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson looks on in Cross

Juanita Jennings

Regina Cross

Juanita Jennings looks stern as Regina Cross in Cross

Melody Hurd

Janelle Cross

Melody Hurd looks up thoughtfully as Janelle Cross in Cross

Caleb Elijah

Damon Cross

Caleb Elijah

Alona Tal

Kayla Craig

Alona Tal as Kayla smiling brightly at someone in Cross

Matthew Lillard

Lance

Five Nights at Freddy's Matthew Lillard at Steve Raglan sitting at desk while smiling

Jeanine Mason

Rebecca

Jeanine-Mason

Wes Chatham

Donnie

Wes Chatham as Amos Burton in The Expanse
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Cross Season 2 Story Details

The Case Isn't Closed Yet

Alona Tal as Kayla Craig and  Johnny Ray Gill As Bobby Trey  in Cross

Though all the details have yet to be revealed, the ending of Cross season 1 has clearly set the stage for what comes next in season 2. Cross and his team successfully caught the "Fanboy" killer, and what's more, they took away his pride by destroying his scrapbook that would give him the notoriety he so much craved. Unfortunately, this puts the team in a difficult spot, and they are now relying on the testimony of Bobby Trey to bring down all the "Fanboy" killer's high-powered associates.

Cross resolved the twists behind his wife's murder, but he'll have to carry the emotional weight for the rest of his life.

This clearly opens the door for even more twists and turns in season 2, since the "Fanboy" was really just the tip of a much larger iceberg that might play out across the entire run of the series. Furthermore, subtle teases such as Kayla Craig's potential relation to the book series villain, Kyle Craig, means there is a lot more coming in the future. On the home front, Cross resolved the twists behind his wife's murder, but he'll have to carry the emotional weight for the rest of his life.

Since season 2 is already confirmed, and a few characters have been revealed, it's possible to patch together a picture of what the next set of episodes will look like. Matthew Lillard's new character, Lance, is a ruthless self-made business tycoon, and he could be attached to the "Fanboy" killer. Crusading judge, Rebecca, might go after Cross for some improper conduct on the job (such as his assault of an innocent man in season 1), which could put him in hot water. Lastly, Cross season 2 introduces a right-wing veteran-turned-farmer, Donnie, who could tie back to Cross' struggles against racism.

Cross (2024) Official Poster

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Cross
Release Date
November 14, 2024
Directors
Craig Siebels, Nzingha Stewart
Writers
Ben Watkins
  • Headshot Of Aldis Hodge
    Aldis Hodge
    Alex Cross
  • Headshot Of Isaiah Mustafa
    Isaiah Mustafa
    John Sampson

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

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.

Franchise(s)
Alex Cross
Seasons
1
Streaming Service(s)
Prime Video
Main Genre
Crime
Creator(s)
Ben Watkins