Prime Video‘s new Bosch replacement is a great show in itself, but it seems unlikely that its main detective character will ever come close to matching Titus Welliver’s legacy in the crime thriller genre.
Even though Prime Video continues to dominate the action thriller space with its vast number of dad shows, Bosch arguably remains the best thing that has happened to it in the dad show space. Shows like Reacher might have surpassed Bosch in terms of viewership, but the Titus Welliver series still stands as the gold standard for detective dramas.
Interestingly, though, one Prime Video detective series initially seemed to have the potential to match Bosch’s legacy. Even though it fell short, it managed to return for season 2. While only time will tell how its second installment will turn out, it seems unlikely that it will ever capture the same lightning in a bottle that Bosch did.
Prime Video’s Cross Is Great, But It Lacks One Quality That Makes Bosch A Far Better Detective Show
Harry Bosch and Alex Cross are very similar characters in the sense that both operate within the legal system, have complex familial relationships, and struggle to draw the line between justice and personal morality. However, what elevates Bosch above almost all detective shows is, as Michael Connelly pointed out, Titus Welliver’s ability to convey emotions through his eyes.
Welliver shows internal damage without having to convey it with his actions. This allows his version of Bosch to feel profoundly human even when he carries himself with a detached exterior. Aldis Hodge, too, is undoubtedly a talented actor and does an incredible job of portraying Alex Cross in Prime Video’s Cross.
However, it is hard not to deny that Cross’ source material gives him limited room to be internal with his struggles, which makes him seem more like the regular fare of troubled detective characters. Even in the Prime Video show, Cross externally projects his pain and anger, making him seem far more performative than introspective.
Considering the many similarities in Bosch and Cross‘ crime-solving approaches and personal issues, Cross did have the potential to match Bosch‘s legacy. It even attempted to adopt a similar adaptation strategy by picking elements from several James Patterson books instead of adapting only one particular novel.
However, for now, even though it has the scale and ambition to stand beside some of Prime Video’s best action thrillers, it has a long way to go before it matches the tonal restraint and subtle craftsmanship of Bosch.
Cross Is Still A Great Addition To Prime Video’s Dad Show Catalog
Prime Video has been relentlessly churning out dad shows. However, it would be unfair to say that every show of the genre has been successful. Two of the biggest additions to the streaming service’s action thriller catalog in 2025 were Countdown and Butterfly. Despite being led by talented cast members, both shows struggled to amass enough viewership to get renewed for new seasons, which ultimately led to their cancellations. Cross undoubtedly deserves credit for garnering enough viewership to be able to return for season 2.
Cross season 2 is scheduled to be released on Prime Video on February 11, 2026.
From a critical standpoint, Cross did not earn the same unanimous acclaim as shows like Reacher and Bosch. However, it still managed to land an average Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 76% and will hopefully get even better in its next installment. All in all, even though Cross struggles to rise above many genre conventions and lacks the edge that separates shows like Bosch from the rest, it is still a promising entry to Prime Video‘s vast line-up.
