Aldis Hodge Introduces Audiences To ‘Cross’ At Los Angeles Global Premiere

Aldis Hodge officially introduced audiences to Cross on Tuesday night (Oct. 29) at the global premiere at Nya Studios in Los Angeles. The event welcomed a new age of the characters from James Patterson’s best-selling Alex Cross book series. VIBE attended the on-theme affair, which featured custom cocktails like the New Hero, Classic Gin Rickey, and the Deceiver, hot dogs, and chili at the on-site recreation of the Washington, D.C. staple restaurant, Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Highlights include owners Virginia and Vida Ali in attendance, wings glazed with Chocolate City’s famous Mumbo sauce, and original artwork featured at the premiere party that was custom from D.C. muralist Aniekan Udofia commissioned through 9B Collective.

Additional partygoers include series stars Isaiah Mustafa, Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, and Eloise Mumford, as well as showrunner and executive producer Ben Watkins.

In the series, Hodge leads as the title character who uses his background in forensic psychology to solve crime in the United States’ capital. All eight episodes of the thrilling drama are set to stream on Prime Video on Nov. 14.

“I would say there is no comparison; it stands on its own. Ben Watkins was able to make something completely unique,” detailed Hodge to TV Insider. Previously the D.C. detective has been portrayed twice by Morgan Freeman and once by Tyler Perry. He clarified, “No” when asked if the series is based on a specific novel, continuing, “It is based on the foundation of Alex Cross, but Ben takes the bone structure of that world and fills it up with a beautiful story.”

Describing his character, the 38-year-old explains, “What distinguishes Cross is that his forensic psychologist background is his superpower, along with his intellect. He knows what makes people tick and he gets into the psyche of these criminals. Once he gets his mark, he starts hunting and always gets his prey. The show truly is a psychological thriller, in which we can get to understand the psychosis of these people.”

Watch the official trailer for Cross, and take a look inside the global premiere below.