Created by Ben Watkins, Cross is an American crime thriller television series, based on the Alex Cross novel series written by James Patterson.
The series follows Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and homicide D.C. Metro Detective, along with his partner, Detective John Sampson, as they hunt some of America's most dangerous killers.
Together, they brave the dangers of the criminal underworld while Alex tries to protect his family from its threats.
For those who enjoyed Cross for its intense crime-solving, these 10 shows will keep you hooked with similar themes of thrilling investigations.
**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are entirely those of the author and not Sportskeeda as a whole.**
Luther, Bosch, and 8 other shows to watch if you liked Cross
1) Bosch
Bosch is an American police procedural series with the first season taking inspiration from the Michael Connelly novels City of Bones (2002), Echo Park (2006), and The Concrete Blonde (1994).
Harry Bosch is an irrepressible investigator who finds himself facing personal and professional challenges on several complex, often perilous, cases. Bosch probes a murder of a 12-year-old boy, the uncovering of a dangerous mob and dirty cop ring, and a surprising new clue into his mother's death.
The stakes are raised as Bosch gambles everything to solve the murder of a young girl in the aftermath of his partner's breakdown and a high-profile case with dangerous criminals.
One similarity between the crime thrillers Cross and Bosch is their focus on gritty characters who are driven by a strong sense of justice. Both characters struggle with their past while working tirelessly to solve dangerous cases.
Where to watch: Prime Video
2) The Fall
Northern Ireland serves as the backdrop for the criminal drama television series The Fall. The show stars Jamie Dornan as serial killer Paul Spector and Gillian Anderson as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson.
In order to evaluate the status of a murder investigation that has been ongoing for more than 28 days, Stella, a senior investigative officer, is sent to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Local detectives collaborate with Stella to track down and apprehend Paul, who is assaulting young, professional women in Belfast. Stella's team puts in a lot of effort to develop a case over time, but they run into issues both inside and outside the PSNI.
Viewers who enjoy Cross should watch The Fall for its psychological intensity, and the complex dynamics between a detective and a serial killer.
Where to watch: Netflix
3) Through the Darkness
Through the Darkness is a 2022 South Korean series starring Kim Nam-gil, Jin Seon-kyu and Kim So-jin. It mainly follows the storyline of the 2018 non-fiction book of the same title co-written by Korea's first criminal profiler Kwon Il-yong and journalist-turned-author Ko Na-mu, which highlights Kwon's field experiences.
Set during the early days of criminal behavior analysis in South Korean law enforcement, the series follows the first criminal profiler. He struggles to determine the behavioral patterns of serial killers while trying to prove that criminal behavior analysis is the future of criminal investigation.
If you liked Cross, you might like Through the Darkness for its psychological depth that focuses on tracking serial killers, and investigations led by a determined team, similar to the gripping crime-solving theme in Cross.
Where to watch: Prime Video
4) Luther
Neil Cross is the author of the British psychological criminal thriller Luther, which stars Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan and Idris Elba as DCI John Luther.
Murderer Morgan has a complex connection with Luther, the detective who must prosecute criminals.
John Luther works in the Serious Crime Unit as a committed Detective Chief Inspector. He is captivated by the gloom of the crimes he looks into, which makes him obsessed and occasionally violent.
His biggest obstacle is Alice Morgan, a murderer and intelligent psychopath whom he is unable to apprehend but who ends up being both his enemy and an unexpected ally. Tragic losses result from Luther having to face his own problems as their friendship deepens.
Both Cross and Luther feature driven protagonists who are committed to solving violent crimes while dealing with personal struggles and moral dilemmas.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+
5) Reacher
Alan Ritchson plays the title character in the American action-crime series Reacher, a self-described hobo and former military police officer in the U.S. Army.
Based on Lee Child's Jack Reacher novel series, the series features characters with extraordinary strength and skills.
Season 1 follows Reacher as he visits the fictional town of Margrave, Georgia, where he is arrested for murder. After being freed, he teams up with two honest police officers, Oscar Finlay, and Roscoe Conklin, to look into a local conspiracy involving corrupt lawmen, politicians, and a wealthy business tycoon and his son.
Cross and Reacher both bear similarities in their fast-paced action and determined lead characters, with both series featuring protagonists who are relentless in their pursuit of justice.
Where to watch: Prime Video
6) The Madness
The Madness is an American action conspiracy thriller limited series written and created by Stephen Belber. It stars Colman Domingo as a media pundit who is trying to clear his name after he accidentally stumbles on a murder in the woods.
Muncie Daniels (played by Colman) has his name clear after he stumbles upon a murder in the Pocono Mountains. To survive, he is forced to reconnect with his estranged family and the ideals that he lost.
One similarity between Cross and The Madness is that the characters must confront disturbing aspects of human nature while hunting down dangerous criminals.
Where to watch: Netflix
7) The Day of the Jackal
The British television show The Day of the Jackal is based on the same-titled novel by Frederick Forsyth.
This series, which is based on the classic story and has been reworked into the contemporary political environment, centers on a vicious British assassin known only as the "Jackal" and the intelligence officer who is determined to capture him.
Both Cross and The Day of the Jackal are filled with highly skilled protagonists who utilize their expertise in trying to outsmart their targets. Alex Cross uses his psychological insights in tracking killers, while the Jackal uses his assassin skills to evade capture.
Where to watch: Peacock
8) The Perfect Couple
The Perfect Couple is an American mystery drama miniseries. It boasts an ensemble cast including Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Jack Reynor, Michael Beach, Ishaan Khatter, Sam Nivola, Mia Isaac, Dakota Fanning, and Donna Lynne Champlin.
Set in Nantucket, it centers around a really posh wedding that gets crashed by a murder. Amelia is marrying into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket until a shocking death derails the wedding—and turns everyone into a suspect.
The tense and suspenseful unraveling of secrets in The Perfect Couple is similar to the gripping investigations in Cross.
Where to watch: Netflix
9) The Killing
The Killing is an American crime drama television series that follows the Danish television series Forbrydelsen-literal translation: The Crime-but also widely known as The Killing internationally.
In the series, a teenager named Rosie Larsen is murdered in Seattle. As the investigation unfolds, dark family secrets, a police conspiracy, and connections to the political race ultimately bring the case closer to a conclusion.
Detective Stephen Holder pursues a runaway girl, which in turn uncovers a string of connected murders, thus forcing Sarah Linden back onto the case she believed was finally over.
One similarity between Cross and The Killing is their focus on long-running investigations that uncover personal connections surrounding the crimes.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+
10) True Detective
True Detective is an American anthology crime drama series. Set in Louisiana, the first season shows detectives played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson running after a serial killer with occult links for 17 years.
The second has events unfolding in California where Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch play detectives whose inquiry explores crimes linked to the slaying of a corrupt politician.
A third, starring Mahershala Ali and Carmen Ejogo, is set in the Ozarks across three time periods, as detectives investigate the disappearance of two children. A fourth, True Detective: Night Country, is set in Alaska, where Jodie Foster and Kali Reis star as investigators searching for eight missing men from a research station.
Viewers who enjoy Cross should watch True Detective for its dark, atmospheric crime stories.
Viewers can stream all eight episodes of Cross on Prime Video.