Aldis Hodge portrays layered Alex Cross with emotional depth in the acclaimed television adaptation, bringing a blend of intellect and feeling to the classic detective, as seen in season one now streaming on Prime Video. His approach to this iconic serial killer-hunting detective goes beyond the surface, infusing Alex Cross with a sincerity and humanity that resonates throughout the series.
A New Interpretation of Alex Cross Blends Intellect and Heart
Alex Cross has long been a cornerstone character in the world of detective fiction, notably first capturing readers through a best-selling series and immortalized on screen by Morgan Freeman. When Aldis Hodge stepped into this role, he set out to reinterpret the detective with his distinctive touch, focusing on the authentic portrayal of Cross’s inner life. Hodge’s natural charisma and openness are evident in personal interactions, but beneath this ease is a depth that shapes his craft as an actor. Hodge’s commitment to authenticity anchors his performance, establishing an Alex Cross who contends not only with crime but with the universal struggles of grief, responsibility, and resilience.
For Hodge, making Cross believable required delving into the character’s lived experience. Instead of focusing solely on crime-fighting, he highlights the man behind the badge—the father, the friend, and the individual striving to do what is right amidst personal turmoil. Hodge’s method is to let the honesty of Cross’s journey take center stage, sidestepping formulaic heroism. This approach reveals a protagonist shaped not just by external battles but by deeply personal challenges.
Authenticity and Humanity: Hodge’s Craft in the Role
Hodge’s philosophy toward portraying Cross centers around genuine emotion and sincere motivation. He has described his process as looking for the ‘nucleus of honesty,’ ensuring that each of Cross’s actions and choices stem not from expected behavior but from honest human reactions. By prioritizing the detective’s lived experiences—including fatherhood, brotherhood, and relentless grief—Hodge crafts a layered character that connects with audiences on a personal level.
“I didn’t have any direct goals about trying to make it my own, because I knew as an actor, whatever role we do, whatever we step in is always going to automatically be ours. So what I focused on was how do I make him honest? How do I make him a full human being and layered and sincere in what he was going through, how he was trying to navigate through the trials of being a man, being a father, and then having to step up to the plate to be what he represents to the people around the city that he protects. What is the nucleus of his honesty? And then, you know, I move out from there. So it wasn’t Alex Cross. It was who this man is, but what this man is dealing with.”
—Aldis Hodge, Actor
Throughout the series, Hodge’s Cross is unmistakably affected by the real weight of grief. Rather than treating it as a temporary obstacle or a plot device, the depiction remains constant, allowing viewers to witness how loss shapes every aspect of the detective’s leadership, relationships, and pursuit of justice. This sustained focus on the emotional journey gives depth to Cross, making his victories and failures more poignant.
“I love the way that grief was handled because it is real and it’s not something that you would pass over. I love the fact that they kept it throughout the storyline, instead of maybe tossing it off in one or two episodes. It’s like, no, this is what really shapes him. This is what really motivates or deflates whatever he does and how he does it. Because this is the human journey. It’s not about the situation of cops running around catching bad guys. It’s people who happen to have these jobs and they’re trying to get through their life and what else affects them around who they are as human beings.”
—Aldis Hodge, Actor
The Power of Brotherhood and On-Screen Relationships
An essential element that Hodge infuses into his portrayal is the sense of brotherhood, both as a thematic point and in the relationships shown on screen. He speaks passionately about one specific scene, set in a locker room after a heated confrontation with a fellow detective, played by Isaiah, where their established camaraderie is pushed to its limits. The actors pushed themselves to fully inhabit the characters’ emotions and rivalries, resulting in an authenticity that spilled from the screen into the set itself.
The brotherhood between Cross and his colleagues stands as a stabilizing force, sometimes the only grounding element amid tragedies and pressures. These moments allow the audience to witness Cross not just as a detective, but as a man navigating bonds that are as important as the cases he handles.
The Influence of Television and Anime on Aldis Hodge’s Artistic Growth
Outside of his work as Cross, Aldis Hodge credits television and pop culture as significant influences in his artistic journey. Growing up, classics like
“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”
and “Martin” shaped his sense of humor and storytelling, while his admiration for technical feats in shows like “Adolescence” challenged his perspective as a performer and creator. His appreciation isn’t limited to Western media; Hodge’s enthusiasm reaches into anime, which he regards as a fertile ground for innovative narratives and multidimensional characters.
As Hodge explains, anime’s dynamic approach to drama, humor, and action speaks to his creative instincts. He draws inspiration from standout series, noting their liberated sense of artistic freedom and powerful storytelling as models for his own approach to building narrative and emotion on screen. This passion for varied storytelling styles translates directly into the emotional range and depth he brings to Alex Cross.
“There’s something hidden within anime that is a beautiful sort of like coded secret to their success. They get to balance so many tones in terms of the drama, the comedic aspect of it, also great narratives. But their action sequences, when done right, are incredible. I mean, there’s an anime called The God of High School and their fight sequences, I could take those frame by frame, put those into a live action movie. And you’re looking at something you’ve never seen before. They have so much creative freedom that I love. And it just informs me. The way I walk through the world is I look at artistic things that inspire my creative sort of knack for what I want to do and how I want to do it. And that’s what my language is. You know, I walk through arts.”
—Aldis Hodge, Actor
What Makes Hodge’s Alex Cross Stand Out
Through a distinctive blend of sincerity, emotional complexity, and thoughtful character interpretation, Aldis Hodge stands out in his depiction of Alex Cross. He draws from his own experiences and influences, ensuring every moment is infused with truth and emotional resonance. This approach not only honors the legacy of the detective created by earlier actors like Morgan Freeman but makes the story relevant for a new generation of viewers, who will see themselves in Cross’s challenges and victories.
In focusing on the human journey over the mechanics of the crime genre, Hodge redefines what it means to be a television detective. He lets Cross be shaped by grief, hope, brotherhood, and a longing for justice—universal themes that reach far beyond the world of detective fiction. For viewers, this means an experience that is as emotionally charged as it is thrilling, making Aldis Hodge’s portrayal a compelling centerpiece for the series.
With the first season of Cross available on Prime Video, Aldis Hodge’s performance demonstrates how a classic character can be revitalized for the modern era. His commitment to layered storytelling and emotional authenticity sets a new standard for adapted crime fiction, promising even deeper journeys in seasons to come.
