Cross Season 2’s Real-World Inspiration Brought A “Beautiful Sadness” For The Prime Video Show’s Cast

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Inspired by James Patterson’s books, the second season of Cross is also drawing on real-life, tragic news stories for its plotlines.

The Prime Video thriller series, created by Ben Watkins, stars Aldis Hodge (known from Leverage) as a Washington D.C. police detective. He solves complex cases involving serial killers while also navigating the challenges of being a single father and coping with the loss of his wife. What sets this series apart from previous adaptations of James Patterson’s novels is that each season features entirely original stories, rather than being based on existing books.

In season two of Cross, Alex and John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) team up again with FBI Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal) to investigate a threat against wealthy businessman Lance Durand (Matthew Lillard), which is connected to another recent murder. They quickly discover they’re hunting a dangerous vigilante with a hidden motive, and their investigation leads them into a web of secrets surrounding the victims.

The second season of Cross, which premiered with its first three episodes in February, has been highly praised by critics. It currently holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a significant increase from the 76% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of the first season. Critics have especially commended the show’s exploration of relevant and challenging topics, including the disturbing reasons behind the vigilante’s actions and the issues of social class, alongside strong performances and a compelling mystery.

Before the premiere of season 2, Ash Crossan from ScreenRant spoke with Isaiah Mustafa, Samantha Walkes, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, and Jeanine Mason about the show. Mustafa shared that he hopes the new season will not only leave viewers eager for more, but also make them think about why people sometimes do bad things with good intentions, and what that means for their own lives.

Walkes agrees that a second season of Cross could keep important discussions going, pointing out that we often experience media through biased perspectives. She believes this leads us to stop having real conversations about what we watch, and she encourages viewers to broaden their understanding and consider their role in the larger system.

Samantha Walkes believes that storytelling in Hollywood can be a powerful way to address universal human needs and keep important conversations alive. She feels these fundamental needs are often overlooked, but stories can help bring them to the forefront.

Mason, who plays the vigilante Rebecca in season 2 of Cross, drew on her personal background as the daughter of Cuban immigrants and her volunteer work at the border in Los Angeles with organizations like This Is About Humanity to inform her performance. She’s always been conscious of current events, and she found the new season of the show particularly heartbreakingly realistic. Mason hopes the show will inspire viewers to take action and become passionate about the important issues it highlights.

I find the situation heartbreaking, but also strangely beautiful. It feels like the right moment for this to happen, and I’m hopeful it can spark important conversations and bring people together. I’m truly thankful for it.

Tal shared that reading the scripts for season 2 of Cross was a particularly emotional experience. She rarely cries while reading scripts publicly, but the finale brought tears to her face. She explained that the show’s themes resonated deeply with her personally, and she hopes viewers will use it as a chance to think critically about the choices we make as a society, rather than simply seeing a reflection of their own lives.

Mustafa & Walkes Had Their Own Unique Processes For Filming Back-To-Back Seasons Without Feedback

Have you ever noticed how, after someone mentions something – like seeing a red Jeep – you suddenly start noticing it everywhere? It’s similar with media adaptations – once a book is adapted, like a James Patterson novel, you start seeing the author and their books all over the place.

I actually see James Patterson’s name everywhere. I’m currently in school, and I come across a lot of crime novels. It’s not just seeing his name, though – I keep hearing people mention him. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if people are bringing him up because of my involvement with the show, or if it’s just a coincidence. I’m definitely noticing his name more often now.

It’s funny how once you hear about something, you start noticing it everywhere. My husband and I recently visited a tiny island called Salt Cay, part of Turks and Caicos, and it only has about 70 residents. It was so remote that I realized if I had gotten hurt, it would have been a problem. We stayed in a small cabin, and the island used to be a salt farm, so there were old books on the shelves, all damaged by the salty air. I started looking through them and found it really interesting to see records of visitors from all over the world. And wouldn’t you know it, I discovered references to episodes 3 and 4 of this show! I couldn’t believe it. So, I took one of the books. [Laughs] It smelled amazing – I’m a thief! But I do feel bad about it, so I texted our Airbnb host to confess and promised to visit again.

ScreenRant asked if filming seasons one and two consecutively felt more liberating, or if it was strange not knowing how audiences were reacting to the first season while already working on the second.

I was really nervous at the start of season two because we didn’t know what to expect. But what I did know was that the amazing team from season one was still there. I completely trust them, and that gave me confidence. They’re very careful about who they add to the cast, because they want to protect what we’ve built and the chemistry we have. Knowing that Ben and his team were looking out for us made me feel safe, even though we were going into the unknown.

As an actor, I approach my work much like I did when I played in the NFL. I used to study game film to identify and correct my mistakes, and I try to do the same with my acting performances. Usually, I can review my work and learn from it, but I didn’t have that opportunity this time, so I had to rely on feedback from others. Season 2 was a bit more challenging because of that. Now that I’ve seen both seasons, I hope the show continues, and I can apply those habits I developed in the NFL to future projects.

One of the producers, Umar, warned me to prepare myself, and I immediately hoped he hadn’t said that. It’s important to trust the people working behind the scenes – they’re watching and offering guidance, even when you can’t see the bigger picture or recognize your own progress. It’s really reassuring to have them supporting you like champions, even though you can’t see what’s coming next. You just have to rely on their expertise.

Ian Watson/Prime

ScreenRant asked Isaiah what question he gets asked most often, recalling a story about how they apparently shocked Bill Hader during interviews for IT: Chapter Two by mentioning Old Spice.

Isaiah Mustafa: I don’t remember. What did he do?

I remember reading this hilarious story about Bill Hader! Apparently, someone at ScreenRant recognized him from those old Old Spice commercials. They said they mentioned it during a roundtable interview, and Bill Hader was totally shocked, jokingly asking how young this person was to even remember those ads!

Isaiah Mustafa: I love that dude.

ScreenRant: He was being funny.

You know, it’s funny how people remember me. I get a lot of love for being ‘the Old Spice guy,’ especially from folks who watched Ellen or Oprah back when those commercials were huge. But then you talk to younger people, and they recognize me from ‘Shadowhunters,’ which is wild! It really depends on who you ask. Honestly, the funniest thing is when it finally clicks for someone that I was the guy on the horse in those Old Spice ads. They’re like, ‘Wait, really?’ And I just crack up – how did they not notice?! I might look a little different now, but it’s always a fun surprise when they figure it out.

Mason Had To Hype Herself Up For Going Face-To-Face With Matthew Lillard

I have to say, this season is incredible – congratulations to everyone involved! I’m so excited to talk about my character. For those who don’t know, let me give you a little background on who she is and what drives her.

I play Rebecca, a determined character who’s seeking revenge for her mother’s death. She’s a vigilante going after some really terrible, wealthy people.

ScreenRant asked what the cast did during breaks from filming to lighten the mood. They were curious if there were things like dance parties or other activities that helped everyone relax and reset.

Working on this show was a wild ride! I felt really fortunate to have such amazing scene partners – Matthew Lillard and Wes Chatham, and we jokingly called ourselves the Avengers. As the newcomers, we were facing some intense material alongside actors who were brilliantly unhinged, and we leaned on each other to get through it. To cope, I explored Toronto’s food scene and rewatched ‘Gilmore Girls’ – it was incredibly comforting and helped me relax. I was initially concerned about fully capturing the character’s complexity, but I realized I already had a lot of empathy for her motivations. The challenge wasn’t finding the sadness, but actively creating the anger and using it to build a sense of danger. I had to consciously toughen up and suppress the underlying sadness to make her truly frightening. The writers did a great job of including her vulnerability, but I also needed to focus on her villainous side. I kept reminding myself to let go of the ‘hero’ aspect and just be scary in those moments – it was a really intense process.

ScreenRant: And I also imagine a little fun at times.

I had so much fun working on this project, and Wes is incredibly talented. I really enjoy seeing unlikely pairings on TV, and his character was both intimidating and very stable. I remember being immediately impressed by his first line – something about having fun and calling me ‘kind of fun’ – it made me think he was ready to take charge. One of the first things we did on set was learn how to make Molotov cocktails with the stunt team, and I was totally excited! It was a blast, and I’d recommend it if you could safely do it. Throwing one was surprisingly fun.

As a huge fan of the original Scream, I have to say, getting to see Matthew Lillard back as Ghostface was a real highlight. He’s truly an iconic horror villain, and it was fascinating to watch him go up against a new generation of characters. It really brought back the magic of the first film!

Matt Lillard and I share the same agent, which was funny because I was cast first. Then he auditioned to see if we had chemistry. They jokingly asked me to ‘put in a good word’ for him, and I couldn’t believe it! He’s amazing, and they’d be crazy not to hire him. I was so glad they did. He brought exactly the right energy to the character – he’s both powerful and funny. Plus, he’s incredibly tall – I’m only 5’4” – and we had a scene where I had to physically stand up to him, which was intimidating! It’s hard to overcome those mental barriers when you’re acting with someone you admire. He did a great job separating his iconic persona from the role, but he’s just so physically imposing. We had to work with camera angles and stuff. I actually got a little carried away during the scene and he asked me to ease up, which was good – he should have! I was so focused on making it look convincing that I overdid it.

ScreenRant praised the actor’s performance, noting that the character begins as a villain but is also understandable and relatable, evoking empathy from the audience.

It was so much fun playing with the duality of my character, being both good and bad, for as long as we did. I even remember looking at the initial plans for Ryan Eggold’s character, thinking about how and when my character and his would cross paths, and when the reveal would happen – when we could drop the disguises. We initially thought we’d only need a couple of wigs, but it was so enjoyable to explore that chameleon-like side of her, the writers kept it going, which I really appreciated. It added a lot of excitement with the action, drama, mystery, and spy elements of the show.

ScreenRant asked me if there’s a particular role I’ve always wanted to play but haven’t had the chance to yet. I was asked to share my dream role.

I’ve got so much to share! I recently worked on a play called Venus and Fur about a really captivating woman who deeply connected with her role. It’s basically a revenge story, but with a surprising amount of humor. I’d love to do more roles like that. Honestly, if I could be a recurring guest star on different shows, just playfully causing trouble, I’d be all in! This job was amazing – a fantastic team and a really smooth, well-run production. It was fun being the new face in a group that’s so happy and appreciative of each other.

It’s amazing to finally see the show out after filming both seasons one and two together! We shot it a while ago, so it feels incredible that it’s finally reaching audiences. I’m so excited for everyone to watch!

It’s been a significant time since filming ended – I actually had a baby! – and I’m thrilled to finally share this project. It’s very different from anything I’ve done before, and I’m really excited to see what people think, especially those who are familiar with my previous work. It still feels unbelievable that I was given the opportunity to do it!

Kayla & Bobby Have A Few New Things Going On In Cross Season 2

ScreenRant congratulated the showrunners on the second season and asked about the characters’ starting points at the beginning of the season. They wanted to know where the characters were emotionally and situationally, and what the most significant changes they’d experienced since the previous season were.

Johnny Ray Gill: I have a shootout. He’s incarcerated. [Laughs]

Alona Tal: That’s a big change.

It’s a big change – going from everyday life, like enjoying wings and spending time with your pet, to being in a high-stakes situation. I think this is a great starting point for the season, and I’m really excited to be involved and continue to work hard.

Alona Tal describes her character, Kayla, as someone completely dedicated to her work. That’s really her main focus, and she enjoys relaxing and doing things she likes in her free time. She’s been patiently waiting for a chance to really shine, and that opportunity arrives in season 2.

ScreenRant asked about the unique production of the first two seasons, noting they were filmed consecutively without a break for audience feedback or reviews. They were curious how this impacted the creative process going into season two. Did having no initial reactions feel liberating, or did insights gained between seasons change the understanding of the characters?

As a film buff, I really connect with what Johnny Ray Gill said. He quoted LeBron James – and it totally applies to filmmaking – about keeping the core focus, the ‘main thing,’ the priority. For him, that meant focusing on the work itself – building the characters and the story. Reviews and audience reactions are nice, but they aren’t what truly matters. He described it as a continuous process, and for this project, his focus was on authentically portraying Bobby Trey, Louisiana, DC, and all the themes they’d established in the first season. Everything else, he said, is just extra. It’s about staying true to the heart of the story.

I have mixed feelings about fan reactions. While they can be really liberating, they can also feel restrictive. We don’t operate in isolation, and shouldn’t, but it’s not always easy. It’s different from what artists usually do – they don’t typically ask for opinions while they’re creating something. I’m proud of what we accomplished and think it’s excellent. When you’re aiming for something truly original, it’s important to have the space to create without worrying about what people will think. I appreciate that Amazon allowed us that freedom.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Cross season 2 coverage with:

  • Our guide to The Mastermind’s book history after season 2’s tease of their arrival
  • Aldis Hodge on how Alex Cross compares to his time with DC’s Hawkman
  • Ben Watkins on Matthew Lillard’s season 2 character and how it differs from prior roles

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2026-02-24 22:31