The new season of the hit Prime Video crime drama Cross drops viewers into a world of massive wealth, hidden crimes, and a vigilante seeking brutal justice. With its story about corrupt billionaires and the exploitation of the vulnerable, many are asking if the show is directly inspired by the infamous Jeffrey Epstein case. The answer, according to the show’s creator and star, is both a clear “no” and an undeniable “yes” when it comes to the real-world echoes audiences are noticing.
As Detective Alex Cross returns on February 11, 2026, he is not just tracking any killer. He is hunting a vigilante who is systematically targeting wealthy, powerful men who have used their money and status to hide terrible abuses. The premise alone is enough to draw comparisons to Epstein, and the creative team behind the series understands why.
The Real-Life Parallels Are Hard to Miss
In Season 2, Aldis Hodge‘s Alex Cross finds himself up against Matthew Lillard‘s character, Lance Durand, a charming billionaire CEO who presents a polished image to the world. But beneath the surface, Durand is connected to a dark network that exploits minor migrants and operates with a sense of impunity that only the ultra-wealthy can afford. The vigilante, Luz, played by Jeanine Mason, is on a mission to expose these crimes and make the predators pay.
This storyline hits very close to home for viewers who are familiar with the Jeffrey Epstein saga and the recent release of related documents. The showrunner, Ben Watkins, recently admitted that even his own marketing team was struck by how relevant the season became. “They were like, ‘You guys predicted the future with this show,’” Watkins told TheWrap. He explained that the scripts were written around late 2022 and early 2023, long before the most recent headlines about Epstein dominated the news cycle. “I didn’t anticipate how timely it was going to be,” he added.
Aldis Hodge Acknowledges the Similarities
Aldis Hodge, who serves as both the star and an executive producer, also sees the connection. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, he discussed how the show’s themes align with events that have since come to light. “There’s a crazy sort of chance happening with the timing because, when the story was developed, this was prior to a lot of things that have been revealed as of late,” Hodge explained.
He emphasized that the goal of the show is not just to entertain but to shine a light on uncomfortable truths. Hodge hopes the series can “bring a little bit more awareness to what’s going on so people can stop turning a blind eye to some of these things and at least try to move to make a real difference”. For him, the parallel is a chance to start a conversation about wealth, power, and accountability.
The Showrunner’s Intent: Tackling Real-World Issues
Ben Watkins has been open about his intentions for the second season. He wanted to create a villain as chilling as Ed Ramsey from Season 1, but he also wanted to ground the story in real societal problems. He explained that the writers’ room focused on issues that Americans are already thinking and talking about.
“It started with we know we’re doing a vigilante, now we have to make sure, if we’re going to do this right, we’re going to seduce the audience into rooting for this vigilante,” Watkins said. “They need a cause that we can relate to. So that was the exploitation of these minor migrant children, which I knew was a real thing, and I knew it was still existing — that became a cause that’s at the root”.
The character of Luz was designed to do something “heinous” to someone the audience feels deserves it. “And that’s when we decided, ‘OK, I’m going to have one of these pervert, pedo*phile-type dudes like the Epstein stuff’ — because no one’s trying to protect those guys,” Watkins stated plainly.
The show also explores the massive wealth gap and the outsized influence of elites. “There’s a billionaire character who’s trying to impose his will on the world, but for what he thinks are good reasons, and it really gets into the wealth gap, and the outsized influence the elites have in our society, that all of us are frustrated with,” Watkins said. He noted that issues like vigilante justice, immigration, and the misuse of power are all current topics, making the season feel incredibly timely.
Is the Show Based on James Patterson’s Epstein Book?
Adding another layer to the conversation, it is worth noting that James Patterson, the author who created the Alex Cross character, co-wrote a book about Jeffrey Epstein titled “Filthy Rich.” That book was later adapted into a Netflix docuseries. However, Ben Watkins confirmed that he did not use “Filthy Rich” as source material for this season. The similarities are a result of the writing team tapping into the same dark undercurrents of wealth and abuse that exist in the real world.
A Critical and Viewer Success
The approach has paid off. Cross Season 2 is currently receiving strong reviews, holding a 90% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, a significant jump from the first season’s 76%. Reviewers have praised the show for its timely and compelling mystery. One review from The Movie Blog noted that the season “delivers a timely, twisty mystery that stays sharp and relevant”. Another from RIOTUS described the season as “brutal”.
The series, which drew over 40 million viewers in its first 20 days for Season 1, is clearly resonating with a global audience. With its mix of personal drama, high-stakes action, and social commentary, the show has found a formula that works.
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Where to Watch and What’s Next
The first three episodes of Cross Season 2 dropped on Prime Video on February 11, 2026. The remaining five episodes will be released weekly, every Wednesday, leading up to the season finale on March 18, 2026. The show is available for streaming in over 240 countries and territories, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
The cast this season includes returning favorites like Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson, Alona Tal as Kayla Craig, and Samantha Walkes as Elle Monteiro, alongside newcomers Matthew Lillard, Jeanine Mason, and Wes Chatham.
As the season unfolds, Alex Cross will find himself in a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, and where the pursuit of justice comes with a heavy personal cost. While the show may not be a direct retelling of the Epstein story, it captures the anger and frustration many feel toward a system that sometimes seems to protect the powerful at the expense of the powerless.
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