Summary
Ben Watkinsproved himself a force of nature after writing and producing the audience-belovedBurn Notice.
Soon after, he helmed the Amazon Original seriesHand of God,starringRon PerlmanandDana Delaney.
Now, Watkins is back and the guiding force behind the latest iteration ofJames Pattersonsseminal hero,Cross.
Image via Amazon Prime Video
The show also starsIsaiah Mustafa,Samantha Walkes,Alona Tal, and more.
BEN WATKINS: Thank you.
I’m sure you’re aware getting one season is catching lightning in a bottle.
I wish I could take all the credit.
It’s very, very gratifying.
Having that greenlight means you’re already working.
Image via Prime Video
I put myself in the fans' shoes.
As a fan, I always struggle with the fact that there’s such a gap between seasons.
Where are you in the writing process?
Image via Prime Video
WATKINS: Season 2 is actually filmed.
I’m gonna go ahead and give you a spoiler because, fuck it.
Each season is a book for me.
Image via Prime Video
They’re all based on new mysteries.
Season 1 isHero Complex,and Season 2 is calledBitter Fruit.
I did not realize.
TV series based on James Paterson’s Alex Cross novels. Alex Cross uses forensic psychology to analyze killers' minds, delving into victims' psyches to identify murderers and bring them to justice.
I’m actually pretty astute at stuff that’s going on.
I did not realize you’d already shot Season 2.
The team behind the Prime Video series discusses collaborating with James Patterson and the major changes from the books.
I can already realize it’ll be a year from now, pretty much, that Season 2 drops.
If Season 1 is a hit, they’ll already give you Season 3.
So, you’re free to hit a pace of every year having a season.
WATKINS: I really, really hope.
I’ve been having these conversations with them.
I wouldloveto give them something reliable in terms of the schedule.
As audience members, we love being able to look forward and associate our shows with certain times.
How did you figure out that number?
Early on, I decided the show was nine episodes.
you could say there are a lot of advantages to streaming.
I just say, let the story dictate it.
Ironically, after that, the model shifted to eight episodes becoming the new 10.
They said they wanted to do eight episodes, and it actually, for me, was no problem.
It was tough because Season 1 has what I consider to be two A stories on the mystery side.
Not just a crime solver.
So, that second line hashimin jeopardy.
This is a spoiler question, and it’s gonna run after the show comes out.
Talk a little bit about how you decided on the ending of Season 1.
Was it always where it ends?
Because sometimes things change in the writing process.
WATKINS: Let me think.
In terms of the fanboy ending?
Yeah, because as you said, you have two storylines.
How did you decide on both of those and where they would end?
WATKINS: Fanboy ended a little bit differently than what I originally planned on.
He wants to join the Pantheon of the celebrated serial killers.
I had a couple of different ways.
So, of course, a Fanboy has to have a scrapbook.
I didn’t realize that was gonna take on a life of its own.
Hats off to the production designer.
You’re making a show, and you’re like, Oh, he has a scrapbook.
Who’s in it?
How long has he had it?
What kind of cover?
What kind of design?
I always knew that his personal journey as a character would put certain relationships at risk.
I’m just about out of time.
Who kept the scrapbook?
Do you have it in your office?
WATKINS: No, we still have it up in Toronto right now.
And spoiler alert: we don’t know if we’ve seen the end of Ramsey.
Crossis available to stream on Prime Video now.
