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‘Cross’ Showrunner Ben Watkins Teases What’s Next in Season 3 After That Explosive Finale

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Creator Ben Watkins at New York Comic Con with Aldis Hodge, Matthew Lillard and the cast of Cross Season 2

[Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for Season 2 of Cross.]

Summary

  • In the Season 2 finale of ‘Cross,’ Alex Cross walks away from his career, leaving his future uncertain.
  • Luz’s vigilante arc blurs justice with brutal killings, and her folk-hero ambiguity leads to an open-ended fate.
  • Season 2 of the Prime Video series widens its scope, with new locations, raw violence, diverse writers, and possible multi-season arcs.

In the Season 2 finale of the Prime Video series Cross, Detective Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) reached a breaking point, leaving his badge and walking away from the career that he’s dedicated himself to. Before making that decision, he finally caught up with vigilante killer Luz (Jeanine Mason) and made billionaire Lance Durand (Matthew Lillard) answer for his crimes. But the clash with FBI Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal) went to a whole other level when she attempted to take him down to make an impression as the new Assistant Director. With Cross’ career hanging in the balance, it’s sure to take something big to draw him back in for Season 3.

Collider recently got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with show creator/showrunner Ben Watkins about how everything played out in Season 2, what led to him stepping in as Roy McElhannon, an FBI supervisory character that becomes suspicious of Alex Cross, and how it all leads into what could come next in Season 3. During the interview, he discussed the desire to reveal different sides of the characters we first got to know in Season 1, percolating on some ideas for Season 3, his favorite moments that Hodge delivered in Season 2, why Roy was the right character to get him to return to acting, how his lead actor came to punch him in the face, the importance of diverse voices in a writers’ room and how that lead to the stand-out face-off between Kayla and Elle (Samantha Walkes), giving the vigilante storyline a real history and legacy, the brutal violence throughout the season, Kayla’s arc and her clash with Alex, and burying Lillard alive. Watkins also went on to share what could come next, his desire to bring back Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold), the four-season arcs he has planned, and a future for the series that he’d like to continue for as long as possible.

Collider: After people loved Season 1, how did you want to change things up even further in Season 2? How did you want to approach the second season to set it apart from the first season and to keep it fresh for you?

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BEN WATKINS: I loved Season 1. It’s like your first child. But as somebody who has four kids, one of the things I love about having kids is that each one is different. They change how you see the world. And I felt like that’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to expand our perspective, and we really applied that rule across the board. Number one, we had different storyline. Number two, we explored the lives of the characters around Alex Cross after a season that was so Cross-focused. We also shot at a different time of year, so it changed the color palette of the show a little bit. We created a storyline that got us outside of Washington, D.C. a little bit.

After a very D.C. centric show in Season 1, we got to go to Texas, we got to go to Mexico, and we got to go to Florida, and that gave us a different look. Just that variety, in and of itself, was really fun. Of course, you’re always going to do a new storyline, and you need it to be something that puts your characters in positions that reveal different sides of themselves. And so, with Season 2, to go down a storyline that is about vigilantism and that really forces the characters to ask themselves questions about what’s right or wrong, who’s good or bad, and where do you stand in that equation, gave us a chance to really reveal different sides of all of our characters, but especially Alex Cross.

The Creative Team for ‘Cross’ Has a Good Sense of What Season 3 Will Be

“We’re already hatching ideas.”

Creator Ben Watkins at New York Comic Con with Aldis Hodge, Matthew Lillard and the cast of Cross Season 2
Creator Ben Watkins at New York Comic Con with Aldis Hodge, Matthew Lillard and the cast of Cross Season 2
Image via Prime Video
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You shot Seasons 1 and 2 before viewers got to see a single episode, so where are things at with Season 3? Having now had time to hear some feedback, has that informed or shaped what you’d want to do with Season 3 in any way?

WATKINS: I will say that we’re already hatching ideas for Season 3, and we’re percolating on that. We’re very excited about what that would look like. This show hit in a way that we never expected when Season 1 dropped. To get 40 million viewers in 20 days was phenomenal. The way that it was number one worldwide for so many weeks was something that went beyond what we could have wished for. It did set the table for us to potentially have a long life as a series, but right now, it’s just one step at a time. We feel very proud of what we’ve done with Season 2, that we got a chance to play in a different sandbox, but also really honor the world that we had created. And now, starting to get feedback from Season 1, it has helped in terms of what we think about as we’re hatching ideas for Season 3. We’re really excited about that potential.

You’re also actually in Season 2, and I’ve read that you decided you wanted to do it, had to do an audition tape, and now here you are in the show. Now that you can look back on the experience, how did it feel to get back into acting, to work in that way with your cast, and to have some moments during the season? What was that whole experience like and how did it feel for you to experience the show in a different way?

WATKINS: That was really eye-opening for me. It started off as sort of a lark. I’m not the only one who does this, but I do it a lot, and maybe it’s because I started as an actor, but when we’re in the writers’ room breaking story, especially when we get into the scene work, I’ll start acting out the scenes in the room, and I’ll be all the characters. For some reason, I was just really feeling the Roy stuff. When we started the audition process and didn’t feel like we had landed it, one of the writers was like, “You should just be Roy.” Of course, I’ve always loved acting. I always thought that, at one point, I would come back to it. All of a sudden, this seemed like the time to do it. But it was really eye-opening because doing it right is hard. It was fun to get in there and be surrounded by people who were really pulling for me and really got to make sure that we landed it. It was almost like a homecoming, to be back in that seat, approaching the material differently, and exercising these different muscles.

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That was really eye-opening but also gave me a great appreciation for the level of the cast that we were dealing with. It was very daunting to be standing toe-to-toe with Aldis Hodge and Alona Tal and Matthew Lillard, doing these scenes. That was fun. The only other thing I would say is that my writers’ room started taking advantage of me. They started using me to be what I call an exposition cat. We had a character who had to say things like, “Why haven’t we made more progress? Here’s where I need you to go next.” I was connective tissue giving that perspective on things. They started putting me in way more scenes than I ever expected to be in, so that was fun. And then, they also started writing lines that maybe were secret messages to me, including a moment they had me getting punched out. So, we’ve got some issues we’ve got to talk about.

Aldis Hodge and Alona Tal as Alex Cross and Kayla Craig in Cross Season 2.


‘Cross’ Season 2 Review: Matthew Lillard Joins Aldis Hodge in an Entertaining but Flawed Return for Prime Video’s Thriller

Matthew Lillard joins the cast for Season 2 of the hit series.

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Since he is playing the title character of the show, what was your favorite scene with Aldis Hodge in Season 2?

WATKINS: Yeah. It’s been amazing, throwing different layers at him and watching him embrace them, and Season 2 was no different. I loved the scenes where the tables got turned with Sampson and Cross, where, all of a sudden, Cross is having to help guide and prop up his friend. They have different tactics and different approaches because they’re different characters, but they had to switch roles, and watching them and seeing that dynamic change was amazing. Also, for me, one of the key scenes was the scene in the finale when Cross is on the run, and he shows up at Elle’s place. Considering what we put their relationship through all season, I had been looking forward to that moment for such a long time because it’s part of a longer story of this love story between them, and in particular, Black love and the ups and downs of that. And then, when all the shit hits the fan and they need each other in that moment, she’s there for him. There is a connection that is so visceral and foundational. The way they both played that scene was just perfect for me. That might’ve been the sweet spot.

I love that she also doesn’t just let him get off easy. She made that comment about how she wanted him to succeed so that she can kick his ass, and I thought that was the perfect response from her in that moment.

WATKINS: Yeah. That’s a testament to making sure that you have balance and variety of voices in the room, because that little tag there was a byproduct of some of the women writers in the room saying, “Listen, we know we can’t get into a big argument right now. We know we can’t have her really bust on him. But she has to say something that lets us know that it ain’t as easy as just saying, ‘Oh, I’ve come to my senses.’” And so, we added that, and it turned out to be a lot of people’s favorite moment, with that tag. And then, she also gives us a little bit more when she has the follow-up scene with Kayla. That’s why you’ve got to have strong women advocating for different POVs. I like to consider myself progressive, but I wasn’t thinking about doing that.

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Creator Ben Watkins Wanted To Showcase Obstacles Unique to Black Love in ‘Cross’ Season 2

“I don’t feel like you can show the viability of it without showing it getting tested.”

Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross talking to Samantha Walks as Elle in his house by the staircase in Cross Season 2
Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross talking to Samantha Walks as Elle in his house by the staircase in Cross Season 2
Image via Prime Video

When I spoke to Isaiah Mustafa and Samantha Walkes at the junket about the emotional side of the relationships this season, they both talked about how Cross keeps people in emotional purgatory. I feel like you set that up this season to make him have to answer for some of that in Season 3.

WATKINS: It definitely does, especially between Cross and Elle. That was the whole plan from the beginning. I really wanted to tell a love story that would be a model for all the things that love has to overcome in order for people to stay together, and in particular, this very specific version of Black love. There are some unique obstacles that a couple has to encounter when we’re talking about Black love. I don’t feel like you can show the viability of it without showing it getting tested. You can see in Season 2 that they really got tested in some ways that felt like they could have broken it, but somehow, they come out the other side, barely hanging on. And then, in Season 3, they’ll have to work through that. It’s not as simple as just saying, “Let’s pretend none of that happened,” because then you’re setting yourself up for failure. In Season 3, they’ve really got to cover some ground, in terms of who they are to each other and what they want to be as a couple.

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I love the finale scene between Elle and Kayla. I didn’t know I needed that moment until you gave us that moment. What was it like to finally get the two of them together, and to let Elle have an honest moment with Kayla?

WATKINS: I always tell people, when you put together writers’ rooms, to try to be balanced and diverse across the board, with different life experiences, different genders, different ethnicities, different languages, and different perspectives on life. That scene is a perfect example of why you need it. I didn’t think of that scene. A couple women in the writers’ room, who were so instrumental over the course of the season, and have been instrumental over both seasons, were the ones who said, “We’re not finishing this season without having that scene.” I was hesitant at first. Aiyana Whie, who’s one of our EP’s, Marissa Lee, who’s a great writer, and Sonja Perryman, who’s also a writer, said that we needed to have them face off. So, I said, “Okay, we’ll break that scene.”

And then, when I saw the outline, I said, “Oh, that’s interesting. I like where it is.” And then, I saw it on the page and I said, “Yes, this is so needed.” Then, we went to film it, and you get that in the hands of Alona Tal and Samantha Walkes, and it goes to a new level. People who have seen that scene are obsessed with it. It’s two characters that have never crossed before and people are fixated on it. That’s why you’ve got to have balance in the writers’ room. That’s why you’ve got to have other voices around. So, I give all the credit to our amazing writing team because they’re the ones who forced my hand, and I’m so glad they did.

Are there other scenes that originated in the writers’ room that you hadn’t expected or thought of, but you’re glad they found their way into the season?

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WATKINS: I love getting together with the writers that I’m working with and pitching out the vision for the whole season. Even as I’m pitching the broad strokes, I already have specific scenes in mind, and I’ll pitch those out. I also have scenes that I don’t think fit. And I love when our writers force the issue and say, “I really think this needs to be in here. I really think we need to show these different sides of it.” Those [scenes you mentioned] are two examples. In Season 2, we also have a storyline where our vigilante, our villain, is Mexican, and she is drawing from some of her history and her legacy as part of her momentum and her motives.

We actually worked with a writer by the name of Evelina Fernández, who was helping us with that storyline, and she really advocated for us giving more context to the history, even with the Lotería cards, making sure that was really specific and giving people a little bit of a roadmap. For me, as a storyteller, a lot of times I’m thinking, “I don’t want to slow things down just to explain it. Let’s just get to the chase. Let’s just get to the shoot-out. Let’s just get to the face-off.” She was advocating, and other writers said, “I think we need a little bit more.” And then, when I go back and look at the scene and I hear from people who appreciate the level of detail and authenticity, it makes me really appreciate that I’m collaborating with people, not just doing my own thing.

That background really helped with understanding and sympathizing with Luz.

WATKINS: Yes, and that was intentional. If you notice the type of killing that she’s doing, it starts off with people that we all want to see go. But by the end of the season, there are people who don’t deserve to die. We wanted you to be in a position where you are so attached to her by this point, and you are so like-minded in terms of who she’s killing or who she’s ultimately after and why, that you start to look past some of the innocent people that are collateral damage. Hopefully, you have that moment where you’re like, “Wait a minute, did I just clap for her killing an innocent person?”

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Showrunner Ben Watkins Wants Viewers To Find the Violence Shocking in Season 2 of ‘Cross’

“We felt like the violence quotient had to be brutal.”

Rene Moran as Lincoln holding the face of Jeanine Mason as Luz in his hands before they kiss in Cross Season 2
Rene Moran as Lincoln holding the face of Jeanine Mason as Luz in his hands before they kiss in Cross Season 2
Image via Prime Video

There are some moments of pretty shocking violence this season, whether it’s watching any of Luz’s kills, or the moment between Luz and Lincoln are both holding the gun, and he decides to sacrifice himself, or Luz’s aunt shooting Donnie, or even Luz jumping off the bridge in the finale. What was all of that like to figure out? How did you want to lay that out during the season?

WATKINS: With regard to Luz, we felt like the violence quotient had to be brutal because we already knew that we were going to write her in a way that people would start to root for her, and we didn’t want it to be easy for them. Especially in this day and age, I’m glad we did that because the reason she’s going after people is more timely than even when I wrote this stuff. We wanted there to be some elements of shocking violence, so that it wouldn’t be easy for you. Every now and then, there would be this reminder that, while you’re rooting for somebody to get revenge, you might also be contributing to a rampage where innocent people aren’t just dying, but they’re dying in brutal ways. That’s really where that came from, and we had that throughout the entire season. We were just looking for those moments to shock you back into the reality of what the stakes are. That was the real motivation for amping that up.

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Did that also affect how you wanted to portray what happened to her? Did you intentionally not want to have a definitive ending for her, so that maybe she somehow could have survived?

WATKINS: Yeah. I like to keep the last episode in particular, but really the last two episodes, completely open-ended. I stay ready to change, based on trying to harness what is happening as we’re filming. One of the things that started to emerge with Season 2 was that the way we originally planned to resolve Luz’s storyline changed because of the way that it was playing out and being organic. The same thing happened with Alex Cross. I did not start Season 2 thinking Alex Cross would turn in his badge. But the more we started going down the road of what Season 2 was and having these scenes and making them more organic to what he was going through, I had to finally just honor what was happening.

With his resolution and with Luz, both of those things were a byproduct of how the scenes were unfolding. By the end, we realized that Luz is a vigilante, and even though she crosses the line, she really enters folk hero status. And with folk heroes, they don’t die. We even planted an Easter egg in the funeral procession that really makes you wonder what her fate is. One of the things that emerged mid-season, and we even started writing to it, was the toll this must have taken on her. She has been living with this idea that her mom was taken from her since she was a kid. And then, in her teenage years, she realized the truth about why her mom was taken from her and who did it. She’s been carrying this incredible obsessive burden for a long time. We actually then went back and rewrote some scenes, so you could see the emotional toll that was taking on her and really root for her to get not only to the end of this journey of some sort of justice, but also some sort of relief. And so, we hope that that’s what played through, as people watched the finale.

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Showrunner Ben Watkins Became a Meme After Getting Punched in the Face by Aldis Hodge in the Season 2 Finale of ‘Cross’

“People would send me those memes.”

Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross standing next to Ben Watkins as Roy as they work on a case in Cross Season 2
Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross standing next to Ben Watkins as Roy as they work on a case in Cross Season 2
Image via Prime Video

How did you end up handing your lead actor, Aldis Hodge, a script with a scene where he punches you in the face and knocks you out? Whose idea was that?

WATKINS: It was hilarious. We have such a good time doing these scripts. I had actually pitched the scene as, “We’re nervous that about Cross and we want to keep eyes on him, so Roy escorts him to the men’s bathroom just to keep the pressure on and maybe poke him a little bit and be an irritant.” It was as simple as that. And then, I got a call, and they said, “We think he should punch Roy out.” And then, the next thing you know, we wrote a scene where Roy gets decked, and I asked myself, “What did I do to these writers over the course of this season that made them want to see me get knocked out?” But it was all in fun and all with love. I was a little surprised at how much Aldis enjoyed filming that. He knocked me out multiple times, and then he’d say, “Oh, I think I can do better. Let’s do that again.” He also loved dragging me across the floor after the knockout. I had to be passed out, and I was in pain, and we did multiple takes of that. He really got a lot out of that. It was a blast. The post team made little clip memes, and those memes made it throughout the entire cast and crew and our team. People would send me those memes. They would answer questions by sending a meme of me getting knocked out.

When I spoke to Matthew Lillard about this season, he told me that you almost killed him by actually burying him alive. How did that idea come about? Did it just feel like you wanted to make him suffer a little bit before his character was done on the show?

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WATKINS: It’s funny, of course, you want to see Matthew Lillard suffer. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially when he’s playing Lance Durand. That was one of those images that I had in my head from the beginning. I knew there were going to be unmarked graves for some of these young workers who were being exploited, and I’m big on symbolism, especially for bad guys. This is what you wanted the most? Whatever you wanted the most, that’s what you won’t get. If you did this to someone else, maybe there’s a way for us to symbolically do that to you. I love that. I wanted to give that same instinct to Luz. We knew there was a moment there where he was going to get buried, and there’s so much metaphorically involved with that.

When you finally vanquish your demons, and then you can bury them, and the way people can decompose, even bad people can become nutrients for the soil and maybe something good grows out of it. There were so many metaphorical pieces. We knew we were going to bury him, but at the time, we just didn’t understand the technical challenges to that. I was like, “We’re doing this practically. We’re going to put this dude in the hole and cover him in dirt.” Matt was game, but there still were a couple moments there where it seemed like he was going to truly get smothered. He was such a great collaborator. He understood it all. And he made the most of those moments. He didn’t ham it up. He really played it grounded. For that to be their final confrontation, it turned out to be a great way to end that storyline for them.

Jeanine Mason on the red carpet in a red sleeveless dress at the Los Angeles screening of Cross Season 2


‘Cross’ Star Unpacks Luz’s “Bizarre” Episode 4 Love Story: “These Two Crazies Are Perfect for Each Other”

“I was just so grateful to get to do it,” says Jeanine Mason, of her Season 2 arc in the Prime Video TV series ‘Cross.’

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A lot comes at Cross in the finale. Kayla double crosses him, he gets arrested, and he turns in his badge and quits, which makes you wonder what could happen next. What does all of that mean for Cross and what comes next? How does a good man survive a bad system, like he asks?

WATKINS: You’re asking a question that I think is really important. If you think an institution is wrong, and you’re in that institution, but you’re a good part of that institution, do you leave the institution because you feel like you can’t win that battle, or do you stay in that institution because if you’re not there, it’ll be even worse? I want that question to be asked. I actually don’t know the answer completely, but that’s one of the things I want asked. I love that Season 2 forced Alex Cross to really grapple with that question of, what is justice? There’s a difference between law and justice, and when that gap becomes too big, and you’re on the side of law, what do you do? How can you reconcile that with your own integrity and your own morality? I think there are a lot of people who can relate to that. Watching a character go through that is going to be really interesting for folks, especially Alex Cross. When you see someone like him turning in his badge, and you know that this is what defines him, you have to ask yourself, what’s it going to be like in Season 3? Will he return? And if he does, what would be compelling enough to make him return.

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FBI Agent Kayla Craig Has a Story Arc That Is Rooted in the Mythology of the Cross Books

“If you know the books, then you’ll know where Kayla Craig is headed.”

Alona Tal as FBI Agent Kayla Craig in her office with her FBI badge in Cross Season 2
Alona Tal as FBI Agent Kayla Craig in her office with her FBI badge in Cross Season 2
Image via Prime Video

Did you know from the beginning where Kayla would end up this season? What did you find most interesting about that relationship between Cross and Kayla, having them go from partners to something more intimate to having her eventually turn on him to further herself? Was that always the arc for her?

WATKINS: Yeah, and it’s part of a longer plan. If you know the books, then you’ll know where Kayla Craig is headed. If you know the books, Kayla Craig is one of the characters that is really rooted in the mythology of the books. And so, because of that, I knew I had to do a couple of things to make their relationship as complicated as I could get it. First, I had to show chemistry, but platonic. They both are great at their jobs, but there’s a closeness and it’s almost a spark. We did that in Season 1.

And then, in Season 2, I wanted to take that to the next level and throw that curveball, not only at the relationship between Cross and Elle, but at the relationship between Cross and Kayla, and not just on a personal level, but on a colleague/professional level and how that could make everything so messy. You see that early in Season 2. And then, and you see the consequences of that and the collateral damage. And then, by the end of Season 2, you realize it has gone to a place that might be unfixable for them. I’m trying to play on that ground because I want to see that journey. You’ve seen how connected they can be. You’ve seen that they have chemistry and so much in common. But at the same time, you see that they’re a mistake for each other, but it’s too late. It’s been done. It’s messy now.

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Even though Alex Cross is the hero of the show, just having the character be a hero and somebody you root for, a lot of times will make you overlook some of their flaws. We have really been going to great pains to make sure that people in this world notice their flaws and talk about them in a way that makes them real. She’s saying some things that have validity. We wanted her to be in a position where she could bring things up and there’s some validity to it. Whether you like her or not, she’s saying some valid things. The only way to make that work is if you have seen those flaws, and you can understand it.

Alona Tal as Kayla Craig looking serious in close-up with her hair down in Cross Season 2


‘Cross’ Season 2 Stars Explain the Deeper Layers of Episode 6’s “Down and Dirty” Pool Fight

Alona Tal and Johnny Ray Gill also talk about the calculated web their characters keep spinning.

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I thought it was really an interesting choice with Cross turning in his badge. He could have just said, “I’m going to go away for a while, and I’ll let you know when I’m ready to come back to work.” Instead, he was like, “I’m leaving this here with you. I’m done. I’m out of here.”

WATKINS: That was definitely a tough one. I wanted to raise questions, thematically, about the difference between real justice and law and order. What do we do when we don’t feel like the institutions or the forces for law and order or the rules aren’t working for us. When we want real justice, what do we do? I want to have all those things in there. I didn’t think that it would lead to Cross turning in his badge, but by the end of the season, given everything that he witnesses and everything that he’s trying to represent, and being at the intersection of being somebody who is a champion for justice but working for law enforcement and realizing that might mean he’s protecting a bad guy and chasing a good guy, if he doesn’t turn in his badge, it’s all lip service, in terms of the inner turmoil. That doesn’t mean that there’s not more conversation to be had, and Season 3 will continue that conversation. But in that moment, at that time, I don’t think we would be honest about his inner turmoil if he doesn’t go so far as to turn in his badge.

You’ve had such great villains on this show, with Ed Ramsey from Season 1 and now Lance Durand in Season 2, that make a deep impression on the characters. Is there a temptation to bring them back?

WATKINS: When we started off, I knew at some point that I wanted Ramsey to come back. One of the things that I really appreciate about the books that Jim Patterson writes is that he creates these villains that we’re fascinated by. Even when they’re devious, we like it when they come back. We also like it because they’re such worthy adversaries for Alex Cross. They maybe even have the upper hand, and we love to see Alex Cross get tested. I always intended for Ramsey to come back. When that happens, I won’t tell. I now also want Lance Durand to come back because of what I experienced, filming with Matt in Season 2 and the way that whole story unfolded. Especially with the way things are today, you see billionaires getting away with basically anything. These elites are getting away with anything. The things that you think are the most outlandish conspiracies don’t match what’s actually happening, so a character like Lance Durand could be really relevant in the future.

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Showrunner Ben Watkins Is Game To Do As Many Seasons of ‘Cross’ As Possible

“I would love to do 10 seasons. I would love to do 15 seasons.”

I’m guessing that you have a clear plan for Season 3. You’ve also said you have a plan for the series to run for four seasons. Is that still the plan? Do you have a plan for more seasons than that?

WATKINS: I would love to do 10 seasons. I would love to do 15 seasons. But in terms of a couple of the key relationship arcs and one villain arc, I planned for four seasons for that stretch. If you look at how we approach these seasons, I like to look at each season as its own book. If you watch Season 1, there is an ending to that book. If you watch Season 2, there is an ending to that book. I’m playing two personal lines for Alex Cross. One is relationships – the one with him and Elle, and the one with him and Sampson – and those are both on a four-season arc, in terms of what that journey is. And then, there is a villain line that is on a four-season arc. That’s what I meant by planning four seasons. Does that mean we can’t go for 10 more seasons after that? Absolutely not. With the characters and the world and the fact that there’s always going to be somebody bad out there, that means there’s always going to be a need for Alex Cross. That means we can do as many seasons as they’ll have us.


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Release Date

November 14, 2024

Network
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Prime Video

Directors

Craig Siebels, Nzingha Stewart

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Writers

Ben Watkins

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Franchise(s)

Alex Cross

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Cross is available to stream on Prime Video.

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The Beach Boys And John Stamos Are In Hot Water Over Upcoming Gig

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Killer whale that died suddenly at SeaWorld San Diego

The Beach Boys and John Stamos are facing major backlash ahead of their upcoming SeaWorld Orlando performance, with animal rights activists calling out the group for supporting the controversial marine park. As the band prepares to take the stage as part of SeaWorld’s popular Seven Seas Food Festival, protestors are gearing up to make their voices heard, accusing the performers of turning a blind eye to alleged animal mistreatment.

PETA And Activists Plan Protest Outside SeaWorld Concert

Killer whale that died suddenly at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld/ MEGA

Ahead of Sunday’s concert, demonstrators from PETA and the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida are set to rally outside the venue, holding signs reading, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice… if Orcas Were Free?”

The protest is aimed directly at The Beach Boys and John Stamos, who activists say are helping promote a facility they believe mistreats marine animals. Protestors argue that dolphins and whales at SeaWorld are denied natural behaviors and environments, while also raising concerns about the park’s breeding practices.

PETA Slams Performance In Fiery Statement

PETA President Tracy Reiman didn’t hold back in criticizing the group’s involvement. “God only knows what The Beach Boys and John Stamos are thinking playing at this cruel abusement park, where complex marine mammals are condemned to a lifetime of misery in a dismal concrete tank,” PETA President Tracy Reiman, said in a statement via a press release sent to The Blast.

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She added, “PETA is calling on the band to stick to Key Largo or Montego for tour stops and stop promoting cruel confinement of animals at SeaWorld until it releases these long-suffering animals to seaside sanctuaries.”

The organization also took to Facebook, urging the performers to reconsider their appearance and instead take a stance against marine animal captivity. “Hey John Stamos, have mercy on dolphins suffering at SeaWorld by NOT performing there in the future!” the company wrote. “You’ll be profiting & promoting a company that forcibly breeds & drugs animals who deserve to be respected.”

PETA concluded with, “This performance isn’t fair to the animals or your kind fans.”

John Stamos’ Past PETA Partnership Resurfaces

Amid the backlash, some critics have also pointed out that John Stamos has previously aligned himself with animal rights efforts. The actor once partnered with PETA, starring in a print ad campaign encouraging the public to adopt animals from shelters rather than purchasing them from pet stores or breeders.

Per the campaign, cats and dogs thrive most when they’re kept indoors with their human families, and for their safety, they should only be outside in secure, enclosed spaces or on a leash with close supervision.

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Activists Highlight Conditions For Orcas And Dolphins

Seaworlds last killer whale born in captivity dies aged 3 months
Seaworld/ MEGA

Animal rights groups continue to point to the stark differences between life in the wild and conditions in captivity.

In their natural habitats, orcas are known for their complex social structures, cooperative hunting behaviors, and ability to travel vast distances across open oceans. However, activists argue that in captivity, these animals are confined to limited spaces that restrict their natural instincts.

Concerns have also been raised about stress-related behaviors among animals housed together, as well as the number of dolphins and whales that have reportedly died in captivity over the years.

Poll Shows Growing Public Support For Ending Marine Park Breeding

Adorable baby walrus born at SeaWorld Orlando.
Seaworld/MEGA

Public opinion may also be shifting.

A recent poll commissioned by PETA and conducted by Embold Research found that 77% of registered voters in California, The Beach Boys’ home state support a ban on breeding dolphins, and 74% want dolphins in marine parks to be moved to seaside sanctuaries.

The findings suggest increasing pressure on both entertainment acts and marine parks as conversations around animal welfare continue to grow.

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SeaWorld Concert Series Draws Big Names Across Generations

Despite the controversy, The Beach Boys remain part of SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival concert lineup, which features artists spanning multiple decades and genres. Running from January 30 through May 17, 2026, the festival includes live performances at Bayside Stadium every weekend, along with select Friday and Sunday shows.

The band and Stamos are set to appear on Sunday, March 22, 2026. As the concert approaches, it remains to be seen whether the backlash will impact attendance.

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Bridgerton’s Ruth Gemmell Cried Over Violet’s Sex Scene

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Bridgerton's Ruth Gemmell Cried Over Violet's Sex Scene

Bridgerton’s Ruth Gemmell admitted she cried over her character Violet Bridgerton’s sex scene in season 4.

In the latest installment of the hit Netflix drama, Bridgerton matriarch Violet finds herself at the center of her own love story with Lord Marcus Anderson (played by Daniel Francis). Midway through the season, the pair meet for a rendezvous in Violet’s boudoir as things heat up between them.

The scene came as a surprise to Gemmell, 58, because it’s usually her on-screen children who are in Bridgerton’s steamier scenes.

“I think I was a little bit shocked. I was in a costume fitting, and I realized I was being fitted for something I had no idea was going to happen. I went home and cried,” she said in a recent interview with Belgium’s Ciné-Télé-Revue.

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Gemmell continued, “Thankfully, we tackled this one in a slightly different way to the kids of the show, because I don’t think anyone would want to watch that really,” joking that there was a lot of “low lighting” used to film the scene.

While the British actress had initial reservations about Violet’s tryst with Lord Anderson, she felt it was important to show that life does go on after losing a loved one. In the series, Violet is a widow following the death of her husband, Edmund.

“We don’t die after a certain age, so I think it’s quite nice to kind of represent that,” Gemmell said. “I think that’s important.”

“It’s really lovely to see young love and love for the first time, but it’s also very important and lovely to see somebody who has loved and lost and grieved and comes with a myriad of baggage,” she continued. “Because everyone can identify with that and I think that’s important to show.”

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The latest season of Bridgerton largely focuses on the romance between Violet’s second son, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), and maid Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who got their happy ending in the season 4 finale.

As is Bridgerton tradition, each season focuses on a different sibling’s love story, with seasons 5 and 6 set to focus on Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd), though what order they’ll take the lead is yet to be confirmed.

Ha, meanwhile, hopes to return as Sophie in season 5.

“I would love to film as much as possible,” Ha, 28, told Us Weekly exclusively in February.

“I mean, it’s Bridgerton. I’m new and I don’t have years under my belt. So I’m still fresh and I’m still ready to go. I am eager,” she added.

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Josh Duggar Child Porn Arrest, Case: Everything to Know

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Josh Duggar Child Porn Arrest, Case: Everything to Know

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Classic Star Trek Episode All About Getting Nasty In Zero Gravity

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Classic Star Trek Episode All About Getting Nasty In Zero Gravity

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

For better or for worse, NuTrek shows like Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy have gone out of their way to get their characters laid. Back in the Golden Age of Star Trek, however, it was notoriously difficult for even the most important characters to get any onscreen action. In fact, when Patrick Stewart first met superstar TNG writer Ronald D. Moore, he gave him one piece of advice about scripting: “The captain doesn’t do nearly enough screwing and shooting on this show.”

Dr. Bashir actor Siddig El Fadil felt the same way, and he spent the early days of Deep Space Nine jokingly asking writers and producers when his character would get a girlfriend. Forgotten Trek writer Evan Carlos Somers rose to the challenge by writing “Melora,” an episode in which the titular character would fall in love with the station’s handsome doctor. However, the young writer went the extra mile, later revealing that a primary reason for writing this script was to give the good doctor some kinky zero-gravity sex!

Computer: Defy Gravity

If it’s been a while since you have seen this less-than-beloved episode, here’s a recap: “Melora” is about a Starfleet officer (Melora Pazlar) who visits Deep Space Nine and has trouble moving around because she is from a planet with very low gravity. Her fancy anti-grav chair is incompatible with Cardassian technology, so Dr. Bashir replicates her an old-fashioned wheelchair. He also falls in love with her, and they eventually have some freaky sex in the special low gravity of her cabin on the station.

One of the writers of this episode was Evan Carlos Somers, and he told The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine about how one of his biggest goals with this episode was to give Dr. Bashir a particularly kinky sexual encounter. “The producers had always thought the wheelchair officer would be a man, but I always thought of her as a woman,” he said. He then dropped a hilarious bombshell: “’Zero-gravity sex with Bashir’ was a prime element to the story in my mind.”

Tossed In Space

Does this mean that “Melora” was about nothing more than two characters boldly hoeing where nobody has hoed before? Not exactly: in that same interview, Somers revealed that he wanted Melora’s relationship with Bashir (including those two defying gravity in an especially wicked way) to represent a major temptation for her character. You see, Bashir develops a “cure” for Melora that would allow her to walk around places like DS9, but it would preclude her from ever returning to her homeworld.

Meloa, Somers says, is someone tempted by the cure because it is “presented to her concomitant to a growing love affair,” and she eventually realizes she is considering accepting the cure because she doesn’t want to disappoint the man who created it. Bashir developed the cure because “he loves her, and he would never want to do anything wrong for her.” She eventually realizes that “she doesn’t have to be cured” because there is nothing inherently wrong with her, and fully accepting herself is more important than making her new lover happy.

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In that way, this Deep Space Nine episode told a very progressive story, leaving the groundwork open for Bashir and Melora to hook up yet again. She never returned to the show, though, which is for the best. Even when they were together, these two had a particularly topsy-turvy relationship. Of course, their relationship began the same way as everyone with an “it’s complicated” tag on Facebook: with a night of really freaky physicality!


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“The View” audience laughs as cohosts grill guest for claiming U.S. economy is in 'pretty good shape'

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Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Whoopi Goldberg challenged CNBC’s Sara Eisen on her support for Donald Trump.

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One Of Star Trek’s Best Episodes Was Created Out Of Spite

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One Of Star Trek's Best Episodes Was Created Out Of Spite

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Ever learn about someone for the first time and feel an immediate kinship with them? Recently, I learned about the late, great Evan Carlos Somers, someone who wrote for the best Transformers show ever made: Beast Wars. He also wrote the episode “Melora” for Deep Space Nine, which just happens to be the greatest Star Trek show ever made (I said what I said, haters!).

What intrigued me most about Somers is that he wrote “Melora” out of spite. Part of that spite was for the Paramount production offices and the DS9 set itself. As a man in a wheelchair, Somers discovered how tough it was to get around the studio, and he made sure the wheelchair-bound Melora faced the same difficulties navigating the most famous space station in the quadrant. On top of that, he wrote “Melora” largely to wave a middle finger at the writers of “Ethics.” That’s the TNG episode where a paralyzed Worf wants to (as the kids on Starfleet Academy might say) unalive himself with the help of Commander Riker.

The Best Parking Spot On The Station

This tale is gonna need a double dose of context, so buckle up. The most notable thing about the “Melora” is that even in the 24th century, the titular Starfleet officer must use a wheelchair to move around the station. This is because she comes from a low-gravity planet, and her fancy hoverchair is incompatible with the station’s Cardassian technology. The episode was pitched and originally written (it got later rewrites) by Evan Carlos Somers, who felt that his life as a handicapped person would help him more authentically write for a wheelchair-bound character.

The big emotional thrust of the episode comes when Dr. Bashir develops a “cure” for Melora that would allow her to easily walk in Earth normal gravity. However, it would keep her from returning to her homeworld. It would also fundamentally change who she is, and she eventually decides not to go through with it just to make Bashir happy. In this way, the handicapped Somers wrote a quintessential Star Trek episode in which a character refuses to be defined by her disability and, instead, fully embraces it.

Today Is A Good Day To Die

While he was motivated to write “Melora” largely out of his desire to honestly portray the lived experience of a handicapped person, Somers also wanted to write a response to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, “Ethics.” This is the episode where Worf gets paralyzed by some falling barrels, and he considers committing ritual suicide because of Klingon cultural customs. They believe if you can’t walk, you can’t fight, and if you can’t fight, you might as well be dead. Worf is unable to convince Riker to help with his assisted suicide and is unwilling to ask his son, so he reluctantly agrees to an experimental medical procedure that allows him to walk again.

In an interview with The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine, Evan Carlos Somers revealed that “Ethics” was an episode that “had gotten a little under my skin.” While acknowledging that Klingons have their own cultural values, he still felt that “we’re making statements with Star Trek” and that “messages and values are being broadcast loud and clear.” In this case, he “reented the message in ‘Ethics’–that Worf is worthless now that he’s disabled and therefore must kill himself.” This motivated the writing of “Melora” because “I always thought it would be nice to create a disabled character who’s accepted for what she is and doesn’t have to change.” 

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In retrospect, “Melora” did have a nice message, but I find it personally hilarious that this progressive episode was written out of spite for the writers of an earlier TNG episode. Even funnier, “Ethics” was written by Ronald D. Moore, the Klingon expert who later went on to create the acclaimed Battlestar Galactica reboot.

He’s considered one of Star Trek’s best writers, but that didn’t keep a young intern-turned-writer from calling him out with one of DS9’s craziest episodes. Somers was powered by spite the same way the Enterprise is powered by the warp core, and like Scotty, he was giving it all he’s got with “Melora.” Real talk? As a cranky writer myself, that’s the kind of motivation I can get behind.


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Inside Heath Ledger Daughter Matilda’s Life Away From Fame

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Heath Ledger's daughter Matilda

Nearly two decades after the death of Heath Ledger, the spotlight that once surrounded him has largely faded from one person’s life: his daughter, Matilda

Despite being born into Hollywood fame, the 20-year-old has grown up far from the chaos typically associated with celebrity families. 

Living quietly in New York and rarely seen in public, Matilda has built a life that feels intentionally normal, shaped by privacy, close family ties, and a path that looks very different from the industry her parents once dominated.

Heath Ledger’s Daughter Matilda Lives A Quiet Life Away From Fame

Heath Ledger's daughter Matilda
©2009 RAMEY PHOTO / MEGA

Heath Ledger’s daughter has managed something rare, growing up largely out of public view despite her famous background. 

Now 20, Matilda lives in Brooklyn Heights with her mother, Michelle Williams, in a multi-million-dollar townhouse, but her daily life remains surprisingly low-key.

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Those close to her describe someone who enjoys simple routines, spending time with friends, and exploring her neighborhood. 

She’s often out grabbing coffee or trying new restaurants, earning a reputation as a “foodie,” while also being deeply immersed in books, sometimes reading multiple in a day.

Rather than embracing a high-profile lifestyle, she has leaned into anonymity. A source told the Daily Mail that her lifestyle reflects years of careful protection, saying, “Matilda has been protected by her mom for so long that she lives as normal and natural of a situation as possible.” 

That sense of normalcy is something she values deeply, choosing authenticity over visibility.

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Ledger And Michelle Williams’ Early Decisions Shaped Matilda’s Upbringing

Michelle WIlliams at the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA
MEGA

Matilda’s life today is closely tied to the choices made by her parents early on. Heath Ledger and Williams met in 2004 while filming Brokeback Mountain, quickly forming a relationship that led to Matilda’s birth the following year.

After their separation in 2007 and Ledger’s death in 2008, Williams made a major change to protect her daughter from public attention. 

She relocated them to a quieter, rural setting in upstate New York, focusing on creating stability away from media scrutiny.

Reflecting on that time, Williams described a childhood centered on freedom and exploration, recalling to Vanity Fair, “[It was] getting on a bicycle and being out and coming back for meals… and having that sense of freedom and safety in the world.”

That period helped shape Matilda’s perspective, reinforcing a lifestyle centered on privacy and simplicity rather than public attention.

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The pair eventually returned to New York City years later, but that early foundation continues to influence how Matilda approaches life today.

Heath Ledger’s Daughter Matilda Is Exploring Her Own Future Path

Michelle Williams giving daughter Matilda a piggyback
©2010 RAMEY PHOTO / MEGA

While many celebrity children follow their parents into entertainment, Matilda appears to be taking a different route. According to sources, she has no interest in entering the entertainment industry.

“She still is trying to figure out what she would like to do for a career,” a source shared, adding, “But it isn’t going to be acting. She wants to leave that to her mom.”

Instead, she is still figuring out what direction to take, with a strong interest in animals shaping many of her potential plans. 

Those close to her say she enjoys being around animals and could thrive in an environment that allows her to work closely with them.

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There are also hints that she may share some of her father’s talents. Heath Ledger was known for his skill in chess, and Matilda reportedly developed an early interest in the game as well.

Ledger’s Daughter Matilda Maintains Strong Ties To His Family

Heath Ledger attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Say It Isn't So"
©2001 RAMEY PHOTO / MEGA

Even with her life based in the United States, Matilda remains closely connected to Heath Ledger’s side of the family in Australia. 

She keeps in regular contact with his parents and sister, maintaining a relationship that continues to honor her father’s memory.

“She is very close with Heath’s family and is eager to visit them and vice versa as often as possible,” a source revealed.

Those connections go beyond occasional conversations. Sources say she frequently checks in with them, staying updated on family matters and maintaining consistent communication across continents.

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There are also plans being considered for the future. “She is very interested in going to Australia to study but also to experience life out there,” the insider added, noting that she may spend time abroad after taking a gap year.

Despite living in New York, that link to her father’s roots remains an important part of her identity, and it continues to influence the decisions she is making about her future.

Heath Ledger’s Legacy Continues To Shape Matilda’s Life Today

Heath Ledger seen leaving the Ed Sullivan theatre
©2001 RAMEY PHOTO / MEGA

Matilda’s life is also shaped by what she inherited from her father, not just emotionally, but materially. 

Following Ledger’s death, his entire estate was transferred to her, ensuring she would carry forward what he left behind.

She is also set to receive personal items tied to his legacy, including his Oscar for “The Dark Knight,” which had been placed in a museum with plans to return it to her.

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At home, her life continues to evolve as part of a growing family. She lives with her mother, stepfather Thomas Kail, and several younger siblings, including a new addition welcomed via surrogate. 

“The family keeps things very secretive, very tight knit, but one thing is for sure, Matilda is excited for her mom and Thomas,” the insider said.

Even though she was only two when Heath Ledger passed away, his presence still resonates. “She was only two when Heath passed away but she still feels his presence and love,” the source explained. “She knows he was a very special person and is proud that he is her father.”

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Upcoming Firefly Reboot Will Feature Weird Animation And Activist Showrunners, Fans Divided

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Upcoming Firefly Reboot Will Feature Weird Animation And Activist Showrunners, Fans Divided

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

The announcement of a new Firefly season at AwesomeCon on March 15, 2026, was eagerly anticipated by fans of the show. When Firefly was canceled in 2002, it was abrupt and even traumatic because we had all quickly grown attached to the quirky crew of the Serenity. The movie, named after the smuggling starship, delivered both excitement and heartbreak, giving fans what we all thought was one last look at Malcolm Reynolds and his associates. So when lead actor Nathan Fillion started teasing a cast reunion, Browncoats took notice.

On the surface, the cast announcement, made via Zoom, sounds awesome. There’s a new season in development and it’s going to be animated. It’s going to take place between the end of the single television season and the movie. This means Alan Tudyk’s wisecracking Wash is still alive, and also that Shepherd Book, previously played by deceased actor Ron Glass, can be taken “out to the black” and live on.

Same Cast, Different Style

Animation studio ShadowMachine, responsible for shows like BoJack Horseman, will be behind the Firefly reboot

Some fans are happy because the rest of the cast is reuniting for this project and finally answering their hopes. An animated version also avoids trying to explain why the characters look older than they did in the Serenity movie, while providing the fan service we’ve all been asking for.

The animation is being produced by award-winning studio ShadowMachine, which also inked BoJack Horseman, Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Pinocchio, the vanished Final Space, and a fair portion of Adult Swim’s content, including Robot Chicken. The animation style isn’t to everyone’s taste, though. Some people, beyond just those who only wanted something live action, aren’t warming up to the artistic concepts shared so far.

Still Looking For A Proper Platform

Firefly S01E01

Another source of dissatisfaction is that the show doesn’t actually have a home. It has almost everything else it needs: a studio, a returning cast, and creator Joss Whedon’s blessing, but no streamer or network. The cast announcement struck some viewers as begging for help, and others as a false promise, since a show without a network is no good to fans.

The biggest red flags about the show for some fans have surrounded the show runners, both past and present. Whedon may have given his blessing, but he is not involved. Many believe that he is the heart of the show’s tone and humor, and that it wouldn’t be the same without his involvement.

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Fans Approach With Guarded Enthusiasm

Firefly S01E01

This has been amplified for a lot of viewers by the involvement of Marc Guggenheim and wife Tracy Butters, both alums of superhero shows but also outspoken activists. Guggenheim, responsible for the CW Arrowverse, has never shied away from using Arrow or Legends of Tomorrow to make political statements favoring specific talking points, and has already been noted for attacking Firefly fans who voted for President Trump. Such fans are concerned that yet another beloved property they enjoy will be used to attack and scold them with political messaging rather than good storytelling.

Every fandom has its slop eaters who will eat up a show, no matter how bad, just because it exists and bears the name of their favorite franchise. The Firefly fandom has hope that the combination of the cast reuniting and the show being animated compensates for its physical limitations. But a lot of fans, who have spent the past decade being burned by bad reboots, sequels, and spinoffs from their favorite franchise, are wary that Firefly is about to do it again.


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19 Parisian-Style Amazon Spring Pieces to Dress European

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If you want to go to Europe this spring, same. But if dropping thousands on a ticket isn’t in the cards, you can at least look like you did with these 19 spring pieces that nail the aesthetic. Aside from channeling the effortless style that European women have mastered, whether they’re heading to the farmers market or the school pick-up line, these chic finds start at just $8.

Our favorite outfit sets, dresses, blouses and more channel Paris and Milan at the same time, with hints of Santorini thrown in. Whether you need a wardrobe overhaul or a simple refresh, these wardrobe essentials go above and beyond. They’re also mega versatile, pairing well with whatever’s already hanging in your closet. So, go ahead. . . grab a few!

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19 European-Looking Spring Pieces — From $8

Parisian-Style Outfit Sets

1. Vacation Mode: Packing for a trip — or getting ready for your typical day-to-day — gets easier when a two-piece outfit has you covered from sightseeing to dinner. The sleeveless mockneck style keeps you cool, but not too cool, ensuring you’re well prepared for whatever the weather is doing.

2. Classy Act: This classy knit lounge set combines a cap-sleeve top with pleated pants, making it look double the price. Aside from the luxe appearance, it’s also super soft, so you’ll have no issue wearing it on repeat.

3. Lounge in Luxury: Want to feel like you’re rocking loungewear, but look like you’re in real clothes? This knit tee and pants combo delivers. We especially love the contrast hems, which add a bit of flair to this easy, elevated ensemble.

4. Yacht Wife: Loose and luxurious, Tankaneo’s two-piece set checks every box. We love the nautical stripes that channel serious coastal energy — a vibe you’ll definitely want to channel this season.

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5. Effortless Elegance: Wear this crewneck and midi skirt pairing to daytime appointments or a nice dinner, and people will ask where you got it. Made of quality knit material and featuring chic stripes, it looks like a $200 outfit. . . but costs under $50!

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 12: Gabriella Berdugo wears sunglasses, earrings, a white blue and green checked long dress with long sleeves and floral print, a brown leather belt, a blue Kelly Hermes bag, pale pastel yellow mules / shoes with heart-shaped heels from Kat Maconie, during a street style fashion photo session, on May 12, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)


Related: Channel ‘Spring in Santorini‘ Vibes With These Billowy, Luxe-Looking Dresses

You’ve seen the photos: white-washed buildings, blue domes, light bouncing off the Aegean Sea and chic dresses that fit the vibe. Luckily, you don’t need a Greek island vacation to get the look. With these 17 Santorini-inspired dresses, you’ll pull off Mediterranean style all spring. Flowy silhouettes, crisp colors and head-turning prints featured on these […]

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Parisian-Style Dresses

6. Maxi Maven: Front buttons, a tie waist and lengthening tiers give this maxi shirtdress a relaxed yet put-together feel. The green color is spot-on for spring, but shoppers can choose from five other cheery shades.

7. Santorini Aesthetic: Look European without even trying in Zesica’s spaghetti-strap maxi dress. The contrasting rickrack detailing radiates boutique vibes and makes a statement all on its own.

8. Frills and Fuss: This patchwork maxi features a fit-and-flare shape, creating a flowy silhouette. It will layer perfectly with a denim jacket for cooler spring days, but will work just as well with strappy sandals for date night.

9. Picnic-Ready: Retro and chic, this gingham-print dress is a compliment magnet. The smocked detailing gives you shape without squeezing, and since it’s machine washable, you can wear and rewear it as often as you’d like.

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10. Could Be Zimmermann: You don’t need to drop Zimmermann money to get that iconic (and colorful) look. This floral sundress even has tie straps and a square neckline that capture the vibe — for just $20.

Parisian-Style Blouses

11. Fun Flutter Sleeves: It’s not your average blouse! This flutter-sleeve top has double-layer short sleeves that give it a casual yet dressy flair, meaning it’ll work for whatever is on your calendar. The floral print also captures the dreamy vibe of spring.

12. Puff-Sleeve Princess: Need a polished work top that doesn’t feel stiff? This puff-sleeve blouse has a relaxed fit that hangs in all the right places, while the bold print will amp up basic trousers.

13. Fairytale Find: When you want to feel like you stepped out of a French garden, this billowy long-sleeve delivers that whimsical energy. Even if you pair it with your everyday jeans, your outfit will read as romantic and fashion-forward.

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14. Wardrobe Staple: Wear this pink chiffon long-sleeve top to the office on Monday, then again for brunch on Saturday. The versatile color and fabric work with almost anything, and shoppers swear the piece is “quality, not heavy at all” and “very flattering.”

15. Center of Attention: Plain tanks can sometimes feel too basic for spring events. This floral cap-sleeve top is enhanced with ruffle detailing, serving polish without committing to stuffy full sleeves.

16. Budget-Friendly: Spring mornings are chilly, while afternoons tend to feel a bit warmer. Automet’s ribbed knit tee handles transitional weather well, and at just $8, it’s already in the cart.

Parisian-Style Bags

17. Statement Bag: Flimsy bags ruin an outfit. This structured pink tote keeps its shape, looks like real leather and adds a pop of color to neutral spring looks.

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18. Vacation Mode: Toss your essentials in this brown straw tote and head straight from the hotel to the sand. The woven texture gives it a relaxed, beachy vibe, but the same bag would still complement a flowy maxi dres come dinnertime.

19. Quilted Tote: This large quilted tote comes in over a dozen fun color options and even has a top zipper to keep everything secure. It’s an everyday must-have that will add an expensive-looking spin to whatever you’re wearing.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 12: Ketevan Giorgadze @katie.one wears a one shoulder cut out maxi dress in orange from Mango, oversized golden hoop earrings from Zara, flip flop heeled black sandals shoes from APC Paris, a Le Grand Panier beach straw bag by Jacquemus, on August 12, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)


Related: 21 Early Spring Sale Deals on Zara-Style Fashion (As Low as $8!)

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Nothing says ‘CEO’ like a Zara-filled wardrobe, but who wants to drop $50 on a single blouse? Amazon is overflowing with polished, expensive-looking pieces that channel the same vibe — and they’re all on sale. We’re not talking small markdowns. The best picks start at just $8! Amazon’s Big Spring Sale isn’t until Wednesday, March […]

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Piers Morgan walks off live interview after explosive clash with influencer: 'You're a f—ing idiot'

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Harrison Sullivan — also known as HSTikkyTokky — repeatedly reference Epstein Island and alleged that the TV host was nervous about a “big Black man that shagged” his wife.

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