Latasha M. Ford with Awards Buzz went behind-the-scenes with “Cross” star Johnny Ray Gill for for an exclusive chat about the high-stakes thrill of Season 2! He shared deep gratitude for bringing the character Bobby Trey to life, noting that he was specifically drawn to the show’s willingness to tackle complex social commentary and provide cultural nuance to the Black experience on screen. Gill views his craft as “dangerous” and high-stakes art, drawing inspiration from legendary mentors like James Earl Jones and Mahershala Ali to infuse his performances with historical awareness.
The momentum isn’t slowing down, as he confirmed that filming for Season 3 is already underway in Toronto! To prepare for these intense roles, Gill dives into heavy research—currently reading Propaganda by Alec Karakatsanis—to better represent the intricate interactions between media and policing. He describes this current phase of his career as one of immense gratitude and perseverance, feeling a powerful fusion of his identity and artistry as the series continues to evolve.
Watch Full Interview Below:
Johnny Ray Gill returned as the complex and unpredictable Bobby Trey in the second season of Prime Video’s Cross, which premiered in February 2026. This season delved deeper into Bobby’s backstory as a former military sergeant and police detective, exploring how trauma and his history in Louisiana molded him into a fan-favorite “wild card”. His arc frequently intertwined with Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal), as the two shared a unique dynamic while Bobby assisted her through her own turbulent emotional spiral. From lighter moments like pedicures to intense tactical assistance, Gill’s performance highlighted new layers of a character shaped by the military-industrial complex and extreme poverty.
About “CROSS”
A gripping Washington, D.C. crime drama following Alex Cross, a brilliant homicide detective and forensic psychologist with an extraordinary ability to get inside the minds of killers. In Season Two, Cross is in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is targeting America’s corrupt billionaire magnates, such as business titan Lance Durand (Matthew Lillard), after a death threat links him to a high-profile murder.
The season features a powerful ensemble including Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill. During our recent sit-down, Johnny Ray Gill discussed the “immense gratitude” he feels being part of such an iconic world—originally created by James Patterson—and the responsibility he feels to bring three-dimensionality and cultural nuance to his portrayal of Bobby Trey. He noted that Season Two delves into darker, more “rooted” sources of violence and the difficult conundrums his character faces, describing the upcoming evolution in Season Three as “haunting” and “cerebral”.
Production for Season Three is already underway in Toronto. This follows a highly successful second season that ranked in the Nielsen Top 10 for original series and helped the show reach #1 on Prime Video in over 100 countries. Season Two is currently available to stream in its entirety on Prime Video.
Watch Official Trailer:
