‘Cross’: ‘Reacher’s Flawless Prime Video Thriller Rival Could Run For Decades

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While Prime Video‘s Reacher relies heavily on Alan Ritchson’s appeal and a predictable formula, a new show on the platform is quickly becoming a strong competitor. Like Reacher, it’s based on a popular book series and features a captivating lead actor, but it’s successfully broken away from its source material and reinvented itself—something Reacher hasn’t done in its first three seasons. If this continues, Reacher could face real competition for a long time to come.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, the exciting crime show we’re talking about is Cross, featuring Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross, a tough and direct homicide detective in Washington, D.C. The show is back for a second season that’s even more intense than the first, building on its strengths and improving areas that needed work. And if Reacher isn’t cautious, it could find itself facing strong competition.

‘Cross’ Bucks ‘Reacher’s Repetitive Formula & Establishes a Long-Term Plan

After a successful first season with a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 of Cross took the show in a new direction. The initial season was dark and realistic, focusing on detective Alex Cross (Hodge) as he dealt with both a personal tragedy – the murder of his wife – and a professional case involving the death of an activist. Despite its serious subject matter, Cross became a popular series on Prime Video.

After the first season received positive feedback, creator Ben Watkins took a bold risk with Season 2 of Cross. Rather than simply repeating what worked before – like the show Reacher – he completely changed the show’s atmosphere and transformed the main character from a Washington D.C. operative into a heroic traveler, chasing a different kind of criminal across the country.

Instead of staying focused on Washington D.C., this show follows a serial killer on a nationwide chase, with stops in cities like Chicago, Texas, and Florida. This change of scenery and more relaxed style is a welcome break, helping it avoid the predictable patterns that are starting to affect the series Reacher.

Ultimately, the success of Reacher relies heavily on Alan Ritchson’s captivating performance. The show’s format, based on Lee Child’s novels, sometimes leads to predictable storylines. However, the creators aren’t planning to repeat the same patterns, as they risk losing audience interest.

‘Cross’s Reinvention Paves the Road for Long-Term Success

Similar to the big changes between Seasons 1 and 2, Season 3 of Cross is expected to be quite different. Though Alex’s personality and the show’s overall feel will stay the same, his position within the D.C. homicide unit is uncertain. At the close of Season 2, Alex chooses to leave a flawed legal system, believing he can no longer effectively help people from within it.

Season 3 will resolve lingering plot points from Season 2, like what happened to Luz and the dynamics of Alex’s relationships with Kayla and Elle. This season will also see Alex return to her roots as a detective, shifting back to a career of solving crimes and tackling a brand new murder investigation – a departure from what viewers have seen before.

Ben Watkins and Prime Video are finding success by constantly evolving the Cross series with each season. Thanks to the extensive library of over 35 books by James Patterson, the show can stay exciting for years by avoiding repeated storylines and consistently offering something new. As long as Cross maintains its essential feel while exploring fresh ideas and unpredictable twists, it has the potential to be a long-running hit.

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2026-04-19 23:48