The Prime Video series Cross introduces a fresh take on the character Kyle Craig from James Patterson’s Alex Cross book series, transforming the notorious archenemy into Kayla Craig, a driven FBI agent played by Alona Tal. This reimagining shifts the dynamic between Alex Cross and his longtime associate, now a woman whose role and ambitions expand throughout the show’s second season. The Alona Tal Kayla Craig character navigates complex personal and professional challenges while engaging deeply with the central narrative.
Kayla Craig’s Role Evolves from Support to Central Figure
During season one, Kayla Craig was introduced primarily as a supporting aide to Alexander Cross, assisting him in investigations through her access to intelligence and skills in criminal profiling. Tal explained,
“When we first meet Kayla in season one, she’s there in the capacity of an assistant in the main storyline,”
highlighting her role as a trusted confidante who provided crucial information to Cross as he pursued a serial killer. This foundation sets the stage for a more detailed exploration of her character in season two.
Expanding beyond her initial role, Tal noted that season two allows the audience to delve into Kayla’s ambitions and personal sacrifices, stating,
“I get a lot more runway to explore who Kayla was in her past, and a little bit more into the question of who she is now. She is extremely ambitious, extremely successful in her field. She is a woman who is very driven who very much understands that in order to achieve what she wants with her career, she has to put herself first.”
Kayla’s choices and their consequences are central themes in her arc, reflecting the pressures of balancing career success with personal fulfillment.
The Emergence of a Complicated Relationship with Alex Cross
The evolution of Kayla Craig’s relationship with Alex Cross, portrayed by Aldis Hodge, gains complexity in season two. Previously, Craig avoided romantic entanglements, finding solace in brief connections, such as with Detective John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa). However, episode three, titled Feed, marks a turning point as Cross and Craig’s longstanding professionalism gives way to mutual attraction during a tense mission involving a trafficking bust in Texas. After a successful operation recovering trafficked children, the two officers unwind at a local Western bar where intimacy unexpectedly blooms, culminating in a passionate encounter at Craig’s motel.
Aldis Hodge commented on this shift, suggesting that Cross may be more emotionally invested than Kayla is at this stage. He said,
“Cross, even if he is not fully aware, presumably is about to lose the love of his life,”
referring to his character’s breakup with Elle (Samantha Walkes).
“He has to deal with that. He’s in a stage of grief. And with Kayla, there is obviously some familiarity and history. I think based off of the friendship, he felt safe enough to engage. It was a safe place for him to grieve and deal with what he was going through at the time. But, in the interim, his true love still rested with Elle.”
Writing the Tension Between Partnership and Attraction
Showrunner and writer Ben Watkins, who also appears in the series as FBI Assistant Director Roy McElhannon, provided insight into the intentional chemistry fostered between Cross and Kayla. Watkins explained,
“From the writing perspective, we looked at it like we intentionally set up a chemistry between them, but a chemistry that was built out of appreciation of a shared obsession with getting inside the minds of killers and hunting down people.”
Their connection arises from mutual respect for each other’s intellect and dedication.
Watkins described the transition from professional alliance to a physical relationship as carefully constructed:
“They have a shared appreciation of each other’s brilliance. And what we did in season two was set a situation up where that chemistry turns into something physical, and we were very specific about how that happens.”
He contextualized this development within the emotional turmoil Cross experiences, stating,
“Cross is struggling about being on the outs with Elle, and also in the midst of a high-stakes, very emotional and pressurized case, and a hunt for a killer. In the aftermath of a chase and a shootout and rescuing some kids, that’s when they actually cross the line into something physical. We thought that was really important because it asked these questions about what happens when you’re in different emotional states, and what do you need and what do you cling to? And when it happens, is it real or is it something of the moment? It’s like a war-zone relationship.”
Kayla Craig’s Secret Threats and Increasing Stakes in Season Two
Throughout season two, Kayla faces mounting pressure from her past and present investigations. Early episodes reveal she is chasing a hidden adversary known as the Mastermind, whose dark secrets threaten both her career and freedom. In episode five, Climb, Kayla is confronted with a new danger when her serial killer confidential informant, Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill), discovers disturbing footage involving a drugged U.S. military soldier’s death. The video appears to show Kayla herself participating in the unethical experiment, although she insists it is a deepfake designed to implicate her unjustly.
Tal reflected on this chilling plot point, revealing,
“That was so horrendous — that she knew about those experiments, She was involved, but she wasn’t involved, like the deepfakes are trying to make it seem. That’s them trying to frame her. And that’s what she’s trying to prove. There’s a bigger story here. There’s a bigger reveal later.”
This storyline heightens Kayla’s stakes, forcing her to balance her hidden struggles with her growing relationship with Cross.
Conflicting Loyalties and Protectiveness in Dangerous Situations
As the season progresses, Kayla’s protective instincts intensify, especially when Cross acts independently against her advice. In episode five, she grows anxious when Cross decides to meet the serial killer Luz privately. Her fears prove valid when Cross’s life is threatened, but through her efforts, including using Bobby Trey to shadow him, she manages to intervene and save him.
Regarding this tension, Tal said,
“It’s not safe, she doesn’t know enough, And he is going around to take the lead, after she warned him not to do it. He can’t help himself, and she gets annoyed with that. She’s also conflicted because she trusts Alex, but doesn’t want to give him full rein because that goes against his ego.”
The dynamic between trust and control underlies much of their interaction here, adding layers to their relationship.
Potential Directions for Kayla Craig and the Series Beyond Season Two
With season two concluding, Tal suggests that Kayla’s story and the broader consequences of characters’ decisions will remain critical in any forthcoming third season. She shared that the show’s writers have promised twists yet to come, saying,
“I was told by one of the writers [initially for this season], ‘You have no idea. Whatever you think you’re doing, you have no idea.’ What I hope to see is that there will be a reckoning and repercussions to what happens at the end of our season. When alliances change and choices are made, I would like to see that there has to be a series of consequences. I would like to know more about my character, and what this means in the world we live in.”
The journey of Alona Tal’s Kayla Craig continues to challenge traditional character roles in the crime drama genre, offering a fresh and complex addition to the world of Alex Cross. As the storyline unfolds on Prime Video, fans can anticipate deeper explorations of ambition, loyalty, and moral ambiguity.
Cross is currently streaming the first five episodes of its second season on Prime Video.
