Aldis Hodge refers to it as “Cross Vision.”

In his new series “Cross” on Amazon Prime, police detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross often gets so engrossed in solving cases that his sharp mind enters a state of hyper-focus, revealing his thought process to the viewers while leaving his fellow officers concerned about his well-being.

Hodge empathizes with this experience, recalling his own moments of distraction while working as a conceptual designer. “People have noticed when I zone out. They’re like, ‘Yo, Al, we lost you. Where did you go? You’re just staring off into the distance,’” shares Hodge, who integrated his own perspectives into Cross’s methodical problem-solving approach. “It’s incredibly engaging visually.”

Hodge portrays Cross as a character who combines action with intellect in this crime thriller derived from James Patterson’s mystery novels. The entire first season consists of eight episodes, debuting on Thursday, with a second season already in development. Cross joins a roster of literary crime-fighting protagonists available on Amazon, including Titus Welliver’s “Bosch,” John Krasinski’s “Jack Ryan,” and Alan Ritchson’s “Reacher.”

Among Hodge’s diverse roles, from NFL legend Jim Brown to the superhero Hawkman, Alex Cross stands out for Hodge. He appreciates how the character represents “the various dimensions of being a Black man without falling into stereotypical pitfalls.” Hodge believes Cross balances intellect with authenticity, maintaining his identity without succumbing to compromise. He also shines as the smartest person in any interrogation room; in the series premiere, he brilliantly dismantles a racist murder suspect’s arguments with confidence and style. Reading that segment made Hodge think, “This dude is cool as hell.”

The first season follows Cross, a well-regarded officer in Washington, D.C., as he investigates the murder of a Black Lives Matter activist. The case poses challenges with community relations, but Cross soon uncovers a serial killer operating in the city. Meanwhile, he is still coping with the unresolved murder of his wife from a year prior, and he realizes that a covert figure linked to his past is stalking him and his family.

Cross is exceptional at his profession and even dons a distinct trench coat—an attire of personal significance for Hodge, who collaborated with his late friend, fashion designer Waraire Boswell, on the design. However, creator Ben Watkins informed Hodge early on that he envisioned Alex not as an invincible superhero but as a flawed hero. “Unlike superheroes, who are untouchable, this hero has vulnerabilities,” Hodge explains. “One of his greatest struggles is overcoming his own obstacles as he navigates through his life.”

As a fun tidbit, the number of actors who have portrayed Alex Cross equals those who have played Spider-Man in live-action films. Before Hodge, the role was taken by Morgan Freeman in “Kiss the Girls” (1997) and “Along Came a Spider” (2001), as well as Tyler Perry in the 2012 action-thriller “Alex Cross.”

All three actors have brought unique interpretations to the character, notes Patterson. He highlights Hodge’s profound ability to illustrate the complexities of Alex’s life, particularly the balancing act of being a father, husband, and grandson amid the challenges he faces as a detective. “Aldis navigates that beautifully,” Patterson adds.

Patterson also values how the series addresses current police-related issues, stating, “In my Alex Cross books, I often avoid realism. They’re more like viewing a Picasso painting—you can’t criticize it for lacking realism.”

The show delves into how Alex “operates in two realms”—the police force and the African-American community—and the challenges that arise from this dual existence.

“When you’re wearing a badge, it doesn’t matter who you are: If you misuse the true essence of justice, Cross will bring you down,” Hodge explains.

Hodge and Patterson both appreciate the strong bond between Cross and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), which was not deeply explored in the films. Hodge describes their relationship as “a story of brotherly love.” He adds, “It’s rare to see two men supporting each other while discussing mental health: ‘Hey, man, you’re struggling. Let me help you so you don’t go under.'”

Perhaps Cross could widen his circle by teaming up with other literary detectives. Patterson notes, “Mystery is a broad genre that resonates globally,” adding that he is also working on another show featuring a character from his books, Jane Smith.

This project is set to air on Max and will feature Renee Zellweger, so there won’t be any collaborations there. But if Alex were to team up with any fellow Amazon characters, who would fit best?

<p“Hodge believes Bosch would be a good match. “He would have to adjust his approach with Jack Reacher due to Reacher’s style. Jack Ryan would be interesting too, although that might put Cross out of his scope.”

“Reacher would probably be the best combo,” the actor thinks, smiling at the idea of those two smart, tough characters joining forces. “That’s a great question!”