‘Cross’ Star Says the Show Tackles the Relationship Between Cops & Black Communities

Isaiah Mustafa isn’t shy when it comes to hyping the masterful storytelling of Prime Video’s gripping new detective thriller, Cross. The Shadow Hunters and IT Chapter Two star joins headliner Aldis Hodge in the new crime drama based on James Patterson’s bestsellers about FBI agent Alex Cross hunting down a serial killer. He is quick to note how well the Washington D.C.-set series handles the always relevant relationship between the Black community and law enforcement. In a recent round table interview, Mustafa told MovieWeb:

“I think that this series navigates that complicated relationship between the police and the community by addressing it and hitting it head on. We put it on display.
We put it at the forefront of a lot of our story
. We don’t shy away from anything because we want to give people a true sense of what these two detectives have to go through on a daily basis.
And to shy away from it would be denying you the opportunity to see the truth
.”

Mustafa plays Alex Cross’ FBI partner John Sampson in the new series from showrunner Ben Watkins (Burn Notice, Hand of God). The duo is tight and John, in particular, may be the only person able to reel in Alex Cross, who’s also grieving the death of his wife while a serial killer outsmarts the FBI. “These two guys [Alex and John], they just want justice,” Mustafa added. “They want it in the community, but they also want it in the MPD [Maryland Police Department].”

The One Role That Truly Stretched Isaiah Mustafa

In just a short amount of time, Cross has quickly established itself as a series to binge. Filled with twists, the series illuminates the complexities of a bruised community, offering a realistic depiction of the challenges of Washington D.C.’s Black community and the police force. This already strained relationship is further complicated by a deranged serial killer’s endless antics. That’s where Cross comes in. The exceptional cast includes Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Alona Tal (SEAL Team), Samantha Walkes (Murdoch Mysteries), and Eloise Mumford (Chicago Fire).

Isaiah Mustafa surely stands out throughout the story. He offers a broad range of emotions in complex situations. The series has already been renewed for a second season, which should give Mustafa’s character more time to expand. The actor is totally on board for that. “This role has stretched me beyond any other,” Mustafa said, “but to give that a little context, I would say that Mike Hanlon [from It Chapter Two] was the first role that stretched me beyond… just because of the subject matter and dealing with the fact that it’s such a legendary story… this book [by Stephen King] that was such a behemoth of a novel that people were all attached to.”

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Cross Review: Captivating Detective Thriller Is an Instant Hit for Aldis Hodge

The new Prime Video series, based on James Patterson’s bestsellers, is robust and inventive, with a solid ensemble cast.

“I look at it the same way with James Patterson,” Mustafa noted. “His Alex Cross series sold over 100 million books. This is a character that people know, you know what I mean? Before I got attached to this, they knew this character before I did. So, it gives you a lot of responsibility when you go into that.” He added:

“It’s something that you really want to make sure you can give credence to…
do this character right by the fans and that they are like, ‘Man, this is the Sampson that I always wanted.’
So, this role gave me an opportunity to branch out and do different things in a character. I also have to give credit to both Ben Watkins and Aldis… to play off Aldis, honestly — if I could be so lucky. That’s what you’re thinking before going to work every day.”

Hodge and Mustafa make a great pair for sure. You can binge away on Prime Video through the link below, and stay tuned for news about Cross Season 2.

Watch Cross