The character of Alex Cross from James Patterson’s novels has already been explored on screen, in films with Morgan Freeman And Tyler Perry-but the Prime Video adaptation with Aldis Hodge is a TV series (and already renewed for season 2!), providing more space to explore not only the main character but also those around him.

Cross stars—Hodge (Alex Cross and also executive producer), Isaiah Mustafa (John Sampson), Alona Tal (Kayla Craig), Samantha walks (Elle Monteiro), and Ryan Eggold (Ed Ramsey) — and showrunner and executive producer Ben Watkins stopped by TV Insider’s video suite at New York Comic Con to discuss their show and talked about it.

With this real estate, “we can explore the full breadth of Alex Cross’ world,” Hodge noted, pointing to his family, his friends and “the depths of what makes these people tick.” And something I’ve discovered while watching the show is that I’m interested in every part of it. I’m interested in business because I’m now in love with the characters because I know them in a much more intimate way. Walkes added, “We actually take the time to create these characters.”

More time also allows Cross to dive deep into the villain (as teased in the trailers).

“As a forensic psychologist, he understands how a killer’s mind works,” Hodge said. “With this show, we also get to explore how this killer’s mind works. We are therefore at the forefront as an audience to understand all the psychosis, the exciting elements, everything that attracts us.

Watkins emphasized that the villain “also has to be a character in his own right.” Because a lot of times, they just scare them. You put the mask on them, and then you have a two-dimensional character. And all the scary scenes are cool, but the rest is lacking. And for us, we really took the time to create a killer that we wanted to give the audience, if you were in the room with that person, if you crossed paths with that person, how easy it could be. so that you fall under their spell with their charm, their intelligence.

Watch the full video interview above to hear more from the cast and showrunner about the series, including fun behind-the-scenes stories and insight into those needle drops.

CrossSeason 1 Premiere, Thursday, November 14, Prime Video