For now, Bosch remains the gold standard for dad shows on Prime Video, given how even shows like Reacher struggle match its grounded procedural drama and ability to deliver one perfect season after another. However, in the near future, it is hard not to believe that Prime Video’s adaptation of James Patterson’s Alex Cross books has the potential to rise in the ranks and match Bosch‘s legacy.
The second installment of Prime Video’s Cross already showed significant improvements after season 1’s lukewarm response. While only time will tell what the future holds for the series, it seems to be on the right path to be remembered as one of the best modern crime thriller adaptations on the small screen.
Prime Video’s Cross Has Been Renewed For Season 3
Cross season 2 ended its run on Prime Video on March 18, 2026. Surprisingly, Prime Video has already renewed it for another installment. Although Cross season 3 does not have an official release window yet, it could be out in 2027 itself, given how it took the show a little over a year to return with season 2 after its opening installment ended its run.
After Cross season 1 premiered on Prime Video in 2024, 40 million Prime Video subscribers ended up watching it in the first 20 days. Even the show’s critical reception was fairly positive after season 1, which proved that it deserved to return with season 2.
As Cross‘ improved critical ratings suggest, many liked its season 2 even more than its opening installment, which has seemingly contributed to its success a second time around. While Cross is arguably still not up there with perfect crime thrillers like Bosch just yet, it seemingly holds immense potential.
Cross Has The Potential To Become The Next Bosch
Prime Video showed immense confidence in its take on James Patterson’s Cross books. Owing to this, the streaming service renewed it for season 2 even before its first installment premiered. Interestingly, this approach gave the show’s creators and cast little time to absorb season 1’s feedback and use it to improve season 2. Despite this, though, the show managed to deliver a superior follow-up.
With season 3, Cross‘ creators can finally take a closer look at what audiences are saying about the series. This would encourage them to double down on the show’s strengths and reduce its weaker elements to deliver an even better season.
Did You Know: Aldis Hodge is the third actor to portray Alex Cross. Before him, Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry have played the detective character in big-screen adaptations.
Similar to Bosch, Cross also does adapt one particular James Patterson book per season. It does not shy away from changing the source material’s content and mixes story beats from several books in one season. This allows the show to maintain a sense of novelty even for viewers who are already familiar with the original books.
Although Cross still has a lot of room for improvement after season 2, its multiple-book approach has worked quite well, allowing it to gradually match Bosch‘s long-form storytelling appeal.
Cross Has Enough Source Material Content To Last Longer Than Bosch
James Patterson has written over 30 Alex Cross books so far. Considering the vastness of the story in the source material alone, the Prime Video show could potentially last even longer than Bosch. Since Prime Video’s Cross also adopts many original story beats instead of being completely loyal to its source material, it could eventually spawn spin-offs that focus on side characters like Detective John Sampson.
While most shows in the streaming era struggle to last beyond 3 or 4 seasons, Bosch seems to have joined the ranks of Prime Video’s most successful detective series that could last forever if everything goes in their favor. Reacher already has enough source material to deliver one epic season after another. The Jack Ryan, too, franchise is all set to take a big-screen leap in the near future.
Meanwhile, even Bosch shows no signs of slowing down and is all set to return with Ballard season 2 and the young Bosch spin-off, titled Start of Watch. With Cross, too, showing immense potential, Prime Video is undeniably the king of dad shows right now.