Cross Season 2 Review: Aldis Hodge Returns with High Stakes, Family Drama, and a Villain for the Ages

After a debut season that proved Alex Cross could finally thrive on the small screen, Prime Video’s gritty procedural is back, and frankly, it’s firing on all cylinders. Cross Season 2 doesn't just avoid the sophomore slump; it sprints past it with a badge, a gun and a psychological complexity that puts other detective dramas to shame. Between the escalating body count and the domestic drama, showrunner Ben Watkins has crafted a season that feels both more intimate and significantly more dangerous.

The Power Couple We Deserve

If you’re coming to The TV Cave for the action, you’ll stay for the sparks. The undeniable highlight of the season remains the continued chemistry between Aldis Hodge and Samantha Walkes (Elle). In a genre where the "hero's love interest" is often relegated to worrying at home or getting kidnapped, Walkes’ Elle provides a necessary, grounded intellectual foil to Cross’s intensity. Their relationship feels lived-in and earned, providing a soulful anchor to a show that otherwise spends a lot of time in the dark corners of the human psyche.

Speaking of anchors, the family scenes featuring Cross and his children are a masterclass in balancing "Super Cop" with "Single Dad." It’s refreshing to see a procedural where the protagonist’s home life isn't just a plot device to be threatened by a serial killer, but a genuine source of strength and vulnerability.

Sampson Steps Up and the Kayla Quibble

While Hodge is the undisputed lead, Isaiah Mustafa’s John Sampson gets some much-needed meat on the bone this year. Sampson has a really great storyline this season that dives deep into his personal history, proving he’s far more than just a sidekick with a deep voice. Mustafa brings a quiet gravity to the role that balances Cross’s more kinetic energy.

However, if we’re being picky (and at The TV Cave, we always are), we need to talk about Kayla Craig. Alona Tal is consistently magnetic on screen and while the ensemble is thriving, we’re left shouting at the screen for more Kayla. She brings a specific edge to the investigation that we’d love to see expanded in a potential Season 3.

A Villain Who Actually Induces Chills

Every detective is only as good as the monster they’re chasing and Season 2 delivers a gold medalist in the "Nightmare Fuel" category. The standout has to be Jeanine Mason’s character, who enters the fray as the perfect scary villain. Mason sheds any previous "nice girl" personas to deliver a performance that is calculated, cold, and genuinely unsettling. She doesn't just play a foil; she plays a chess master who manages to get under Cross’s skin in a way we haven't seen before. Check out our interview with her below.

And while we’re handing out flowers for the new faces, we have to talk about Matthew Lillard. Usually, when you see Shaggy pop up on your screen, you expect a certain level of manic charm, but as billionaire tycoon Lance Durand, Lillard is operating on a completely different frequency. He plays the "target with a secret" with such a greasy, high-society arrogance that you almost, almost root for the vigilante. Lillard’s ability to oscillate between a powerful titan of industry and a man sweating through his expensive clothes as the walls close in is a season highlight. He’s one of the most versatile character actors in the game.

Why You Need to Binge This ASAP

The acting throughout the season is top-tier, but it’s the pacing that really seals the deal. The mystery of the billionaire-slaying vigilante provides a sharp social commentary without feeling like a lecture, keeping the stakes high and the plot twists frequent.

Cross Season 2 is a rare beast: a sequel that understands exactly what worked the first time and doubles down on it. With stellar performances from Hodge and Mason, a deeper look into Sampson’s life and that unbeatable romantic chemistry, it’s easily one of the best thrillers on streaming right now. Just don't blame us if you end up watching the whole thing in one sitting, it’s just that good.

Check out a clip: