by guest contributor Enid Doggett
Photo credit: Enid Doggett
Washington is still Washington if you ask Alex Cross. DC recently had a taste of Hollywood as actor Aldis Hodge visited Howard University to promote his role as Alex Cross in the new limited series coming to Prime Video on November 14 called “Cross.”
Created by author James Patterson, the iconic detective and forensic psychologist, he has worked for the FBI and the Metropolitan DC Police Department and has been featured in over 30 novels. The character was previously portrayed in films by Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry.
Unlike the film adaptations, this eight-episode series allows fans to dive deeper into Alex Cross’s life, focusing uniquely on his struggles and ties to Washington, D.C. Although much of the series was filmed in Canada, the production captured key scenes in D.C., showcasing landmarks like the U.S. Capitol, the Wharf, Ben’s Chili Bowl, the Ward 8 “Big Chair,” and the vibrant sounds of Go-Go music, deeply rooted in the city’s culture.
Starring Hodge as Alex Cross, “Cross” is a complex, twisted, pulse-pounding thriller produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television.
Hodge expressed his affection for the capital, saying, “I love D.C., I love the vibe and being among such a diverse group of people,” as he addressed an audience of Howard students eager to hear about the series.
The show’s producer Ben Watkins joined Hodge at the Howard University event.
Watkins envisioned a fresh take on Alex Cross, portraying him as a complex character firmly rooted in his Black identity and the D.C. community. He said he got a lot of support from James Patterson Entertainment and Paramount to pursue his vision “Alex Cross is Black. He lives in a Black neighborhood, and he has some swagger,” Watkins explained. “Those were things I felt were missing from the movies. Now, I think we’re in an era where people appreciate that you can tell specific, authentic stories and still connect universally, ” Watkins said.
Hodge also praised the series for thrilling plot twists, promising fans an engaging and contemporary adaptation of Patterson’s beloved character.
