{"id":60661,"date":"2024-11-13T19:41:49","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T01:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/?p=60661"},"modified":"2024-11-13T19:41:49","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T01:41:49","slug":"mustafa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/13\/mustafa\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>TV Interview!<\/strong><\/h3>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- TVMEGBODY -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1056557952271337\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8801203268\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-60658\" src=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast2.png\" alt=\"Cross Global Premiere In Los Angeles Credit: Vivien Killilea\/Getty Images for Prime Video Copyright: 2024 Getty Images Description: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Ben Watkins, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Aldis Hodge, Eloise Mumford, Isaiah Mustafa and Ryan Eggold attend the Cross Global Premiere at NYA WEST on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea\/Getty Images for Prime Video)\" width=\"433\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast2.png 608w, https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast2-300x202.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins\u00a0 of &#8220;Cross&#8221; on Prime by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/13\/biosuzanne\/\">Suzanne<\/a> 10\/29\/24<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I enjoyed speaking with one of the main actors, and the showrunner, of this great new series. I&#8217;ve spoken with the main star, <a href=\"https:\/\/tvmegasite.net\/prime\/articles\/hodge.shtml\">Aldis Hodge<\/a>, years ago (when he was in &#8220;Leverage&#8221;). Sadly, I did not get that chance this time.<\/p>\n<p>Hodges stars as Alex Cross, the forensic psychiatrist and detective featured in James Patterson novels (and some movies). Aldis was one of my first one-on-one interviews, so it was memorable. He&#8217;s always very nice. I also spoke with him in <a href=\"http:\/\/tvmegasite.net\/prime\/articles\/hodge2.shtml\">2011<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/tvmegasite.net\/prime\/articles\/reisgrafhodge.shtml\">2012<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mustafa and Wakins, whom I interviewed recently, also were a joy to speak with. Mustafa is a former football player but has become quite a good actor. He plays John Sampson, Mustafa&#8217;s close friend and fellow detective. Ben Watkins created, wrote and executive produced the show. He&#8217;s worked on some of my favorites, including &#8220;Hand of God&#8221; and &#8220;Burn Notice&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>These are audio-only, even though I did speak with them on video. I didn&#8217;t realize that they were only going to send me the audio until yesterday (that was my mistake for not making sure). Oops!<\/p>\n<p>You should definitely check out this series&#8217; first season, which drops Nov. 14 and has already been renewed for season 2. It is a thrilling drama that everyone should enjoy. It also stars Ryan Eggold (&#8220;New Amsterdam&#8221;), Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Isaiah Mustafa &#8220;John&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Audio interview with Isaiah Mustafa of &quot;Cross&quot; on Prime by Suzanne 10\/29\/24\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/49gq5z75pww?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ben Watkins (showrunner)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Interview with Ben Watkins\u00a0 of &quot;Cross&quot; on Prime by Suzanne 10\/29\/24\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HLECDkq3oM8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- TVMEGBODY -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1056557952271337\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8801203268\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>MORE INFO: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/CROSS-Season-1\/dp\/B0D6X7ZZHC\">Official Site<\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/GOupIB773tI?si=WvYNGCnqEdWg6UFw\">Trailer<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-60660 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosskeyart.png\" alt=\"Cross Key Art - Horizontal Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios\" width=\"244\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosskeyart.png 546w, https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosskeyart-202x300.png 202w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" \/>Starring Aldis Hodge, <em>Cross <\/em>is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer leaving a string of bodies strewn around the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross\u2019 past appears, aiming to destroy what he\u2019s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"cmn-list credits-contain\">\n<li>\n<h2 class=\"sectionTitle borderLeft\">Credits<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Produced by<\/strong><br \/>\nAmazon MGM Studios, Paramount Television Studios, Skydance Television<\/p>\n<p><strong>Created by<\/strong><br \/>\nBen Watkins<\/p>\n<p><strong>Directed by<\/strong><br \/>\nBen Watkins<\/p>\n<p><strong>Executive Produced by<\/strong><br \/>\nBen Watkins<br \/>\nSam Ernst<br \/>\nJim Dunn<br \/>\nCraig Siebels<br \/>\nJames Patterson<br \/>\nBill Robinson<br \/>\nPatrick Santa<br \/>\nDavid Ellison<br \/>\nDana Goldberg<br \/>\nMatt Thunell<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cast<\/strong><br \/>\nAldis Hodge<br \/>\nIsaiah Mustafa<br \/>\nJuanita Jennings<br \/>\nAlona Tal<br \/>\nSamantha Walkes<br \/>\nCaleb Elijah<br \/>\nMelody Hurd<br \/>\nJennifer Wigmore<br \/>\nEloise Mumford<br \/>\nRyan Eggold<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Isaiah Amir Mustafa<\/b> (born February 11, 1974)<sup id=\"cite_ref-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Isaiah_Mustafa#cite_note-1\"><span class=\"cite-bracket\">]<\/span><\/a><\/sup> is an American actor and former <a title=\"American football\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_football\">American football<\/a> wide receiver.<sup id=\"cite_ref-wharton19980418_2-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> Mustafa is widely known as the main character in a series of <a title=\"Old Spice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Old_Spice\">Old Spice<\/a> television commercials, &#8220;<a title=\"The Man Your Man Could Smell Like\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Man_Your_Man_Could_Smell_Like\">The Man Your Man Could Smell Like<\/a>&#8220;. He is also known for portraying <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Luke Garroway\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Luke_Garroway\">Luke Garroway<\/a> on <a title=\"Freeform (TV channel)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Freeform_(TV_channel)\">Freeform<\/a>&#8216;s fantasy series <i><a title=\"Shadowhunters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shadowhunters\">Shadowhunters<\/a><\/i> and adult Mike Hanlon in <i><a title=\"It Chapter Two\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/It_Chapter_Two\">It Chapter Two<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ben Watkins<\/strong> was born on March 19, 1971 in San Francisco, California, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for <a class=\"ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11794812\/?ref_=nmbio_mbio\">Cross (2024)<\/a>, <a class=\"ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0810788\/?ref_=nmbio_mbio\">Burn Notice (2007)<\/a> and <a class=\"ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0344246\/?ref_=nmbio_mbio\">Quest to Ref (2002)<\/a>. He has been married to Kandi Ali since June 1992. They have four children.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-60659\" src=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast.png\" alt=\"Cross Global Premiere In Los Angeles Credit: Vivien Killilea\/Getty Images for Prime Video Copyright: 2024 Getty Images Description: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Ben Watkins, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Aldis Hodge, Eloise Mumford, Isaiah Mustafa and Ryan Eggold attend the Cross Global Premiere at NYA WEST on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea\/Getty Images for Prime Video)\" width=\"352\" height=\"253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast.png 569w, https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/crosscast-300x216.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Proofread and Edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/20\/biobrenda\/\">Brenda<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/interviews\/\">Back to the Primetime Articles and Interviews Page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TV Interview! Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins\u00a0 of &#8220;Cross&#8221; on Prime by Suzanne 10\/29\/24 I enjoyed speaking with one of the main actors, and the showrunner, of this great new series. I&#8217;ve spoken with the main star, Aldis Hodge, years ago (when he was in &#8220;Leverage&#8221;). Sadly, I did not get that chance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,7],"tags":[543,79,2163,2161,86,346,2162,102],"class_list":["post-60661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","category-primetime","tag-amazon","tag-article","tag-ben-watkins","tag-cross","tag-drama","tag-interview","tag-isaiah-mustafa","tag-prime"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60661"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60664,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60661\/revisions\/60664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}