Cross showrunner Ben Watkins on what fans of the James Patterson books can expect from the crime drama

Cross is about to make its debut on Prime Video. As the latest adaptation of the world James Patterson's beloved investigator Alex Cross inhabits, there are high expectations for the series. Amazon believe it's a winner and has invested in the mystery drama with a renewal for a second season before the season 1 premiere. But if you're hoping to see one of your favorite books from the series brought to life, Ben Watkins' show won't be checking off that box. It's its own thing.

FanSided Entertainment and Lifestyle Director Cody Schultz had the opportunity to catch up with the showrunner at New York Comic Con to discuss Cross and Watkins' motivation for taking the story in a fresh direction while still honoring the source material. The showrunner also dove into what he's most excited for fans to see unfold on their screens.

Ben Watkins talks Cross and what fans can expect from the show

When Watkins conceptualized Cross, he knew that he wanted to explore the world in which Alex Cross lives, loves and works, but he didn't want to adapt a story that's already been told. Watkins shared the reason behind this decision was because he wanted "the flexibility of being able to tap into what's happening right now in our world" which isn't something he would have been able to do if he stuck close to a book series that got its start in 1993. But he did reach out to James Patterson to let him know that he was going to do his own mystery.

Watkins had been worried that the author may be at most offended by his decision or at least hesitant but that turned out not to be the case. According to the showrunner, Patterson loved the idea!

"[Patterson] encouraged me to do it, he embraced it because he loved the idea that you can give fans of the Alex Cross series something they love with the character and the world but now you're even adding to that satisfaction level by giving them a new story that they haven't seen before."

Without having to be beholden to the books, the team behind Cross were able to shape their own mystery and, as Schultz pointed out, keep viewers from knowing what's going to happen because they read the book. As Watkins put it, "In this one, you spend the whole season. You gotta just roll on that journey with us."

What can fans look forward to while watching Cross? First things first, the mystery. Watkins spoke to his own love for crime dramas that he fostered growing up, what hooked him, and why it's his favorite medium for storytelling.

"When I think about what would the fans like about [Cross], I have to think about me because I'm a crime junkie. Both in books and in media; film, TV. That's basically my favorite genre. I grew up reading it and then I grew up watching it. I still do to this day. When I think about the ones that really satisfy me the most, they're the ones that have a really compelling mystery. And if it's an adaptation, I really want it to honor the tone and mood of that [story]."

One such example of "honoring" the source material is sticking to features of the story that fans would expect to see. For instance, in the Alex Cross books, readers get the perspective of the villain, they walk in the antagonist's shoes, and see the world through the eyes of the person Cross is working to catch. That's a story element that book fans would miss if it weren't in the show and that viewers without knowledge of the books can appreciate as well. It adds to the story.

Bearing that in mind, Watkins also emphasized the importance of the characters and how they're just as gripping and worth investing in as the mystery itself.

"But the next thing goes beyond the mystery. I think everybody is going to love the mystery. The next thing is the characters. I think fans are going to come in here, even if all you're doing is to watch this show because you love the books or because you love mysteries, but I think what's really going to hit you is you're going to invest in these characters. Not just Alex Cross but also his partner and best friend John Sampson. His entire family, his love interest Elle, his ally with complications Kayla. There's a lot of characters that you get a chance to invest in and I think that will really be satisfying for the fans."

Cross is set to be a well rounded original series for Prime Video, one that fans of the books and newcomers can enjoy. For more of American Undercover's interview with Ben Watkins, check out the video below!

Stay tuned for more of our coverage of Cross. The series premieres Nov. 14 on Prime Video with all eight episodes. Follow us on X for more content!