How Ben Watkins Brought a New Depth to Alex Cross on Prime Video
When Ben Watkins was first approached to adapt James Patterson’s bestselling Alex Cross novels into a television series, he hadn’t yet read a single book. But as a self-proclaimed crime drama enthusiast, he quickly recognized the depth and richness of the material — elements that had remained largely untapped in the film adaptations.
“Reading the books actually became one of the reasons I wanted to tell the story,” Watkins explained during Prime Video’s Meet the Experts: Showrunners panel. “While I enjoyed the movies — especially the Morgan Freeman versions — I felt the books offered more emotional and narrative depth that only a series could explore.”
Watkins saw television as the ideal medium to explore not just Cross the detective, but Cross the father, friend, and grieving husband. Unlike the films that often began at a narrative high point, Watkins chose to introduce Alex Cross at a vulnerable low — mourning the tragic loss of his wife and struggling to balance his roles both at home and on the job.
A Story Built on Family and Emotion
“Family was the foundation,” Watkins said. “I wanted audiences to see someone trying to hold it together — not perfectly — but in a real, grounded way.”
That emotional realism became central to the show’s tone. Blending elements of classic noir with a contemporary edge, Watkins drew inspiration from literary legends like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett while reimagining Washington, D.C. far beyond its usual portrayal as a political hub.
“D.C. is so often shown through the lens of power,” Watkins said. “But there’s another side — neighborhoods, memories, music — and I wanted all of that to be part of the show’s identity.”
Every creative choice, from music to cinematography, reflected that ethos. “A song can trigger memory and emotion,” he explained. “I wanted the show to do the same.”
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Casting the Right Cross
For Watkins, there was only one actor who could embody the intellect, strength, and emotional complexity of Alex Cross: Aldis Hodge.
“He already had the qualities I was looking for — intelligence, curiosity, intensity,” Watkins noted. “And when I told him this role would push him, he didn’t flinch. He welcomed it.”
Watkins built the rest of the cast around Hodge with equal precision. Isaiah Mustafa brought grit and charm to Cross’ loyal partner, Detective John Sampson. Melody Hurd and Caleb Elijah portrayed Cross’s children with genuine emotion, while Juanita Jennings perfectly captured the warmth and strength of Nana Mama — a portrayal so spot-on that fans of the books said, “That’s exactly how we imagined her.”
The show’s villain, played by Ryan Eggold, added even more complexity to the first season. Despite initial hesitation to return to television, Eggold was ultimately drawn to the role.
“It was exactly what we needed,” Watkins said. “We now had two powerhouse forces — adversaries that were truly equal.”
