Prime Video show's cast features Aldis Hodge as the titular psychologist and detective who 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 with Collider, Watkins explained that Cross will not be directly adapting any of the plots from the Alex Cross novels. 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 approach marks a significant departure from previous adaptations. Morgan Freeman played Cross in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, both of which were adapted from Patterson's novels of the same name. Tyler Perry later starred in the 2012 Alex Cross movie, which was an adaptation of Patterson's 2006 novel Cross. Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider are not considered to be among Morgan Freeman's best movies, and they were both critically panned, as was Alex Cross, which was even more poorly received.

Instead of trying yet another direct adaptation of an Alex Cross novel, the Prime Video series is taking a different approach by telling new stories with familiar characters from the source material. This can be an 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 predecessors by 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 make Cross season 1 a great detective show.

Source: Collider