Ryan Eggold and Eloise Mumford are being sought after by one of literature’s most iconic detectives for different reasons inCross. Having first held down one of the lead roles in The CW’s90210sequel show, Eggold subsequently found successstarring in NBC’sThe Blacklistand co-leading its short-lived spinoff,Redemption, while also landing a major role in Spike Lee’sBlacKkKlansmanaround the same time. More recently, Eggold found acclaim leading the cast of the medical dramaNew Amsterdam, while also directing three episodes before it came to an end in 2023.
Much like Eggold, Mumford found early success in the world of television with her key roles in Fox’s crime dramaLone Starand ABC’sThe River, a found-footage horror show from the creator oftheParanormal Activityfranchiseand produced by Jason Blum before Blumhouse fame. Since then, Mumford has gone on to find success on both the big and small screens, including the recurring role of Hope inChicago Fire, starring in Disney+‘sThe Right Stuffadaptation and playing Kate in theFifty Shadesmovie trilogy.
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Eggold stars inCrossseason 1as Ed Ramsey, a member of the Washington D.C. elite who is also the perpetrator of a series of murders occurring in the area, being labeled the Fanboy Killer. Mumford, on the other hand, plays Shannon Witmer, a woman who has been taken captive by Ramsey and, unlike his other victims, is frequently toyed with by the killer during her captivity. As their relationship remains full of tension, Shannon continues to try and find a way to escape, all while the titular detective races against time to find a way to bring Fanboy to justice.
In honor of the show’s release,Screen Rantinterviewed Ryan Eggold and Eloise Mumford to discussCrossseason 1, how the former captured the “delicate nature” of his villainous character, how the latter sought to imbue a sense of resilience and strength into what could have been a routine victim, and how Eggold was taken aback by watching Mumford’s performance during filming.
Eggold Wanted To Look “Beyond What We All Know” About Serial Killers
“…to find that light to his dark was really fun…”
Screen Rant: I love this show. It is absolutely incredible, it’s perfect for longtime Alex Cross fans, and also fans of true crime. Ryan, first question for you, I fell in love withNew Amsterdam’s Dr. Max Goodwin, and here we are. Ed Ramsey’s a lot different, but he uses his charm to lure people in. Ed Ramsey is dubbed the Fanboy Killer. Can you talk about the nuances you wanted to bring to the Fanboy Killer?
Ryan Eggold: Sure. Well, beyond what we all know about popular serial killers like Ted Bundy or Dahmer or people like that, what I liked about Ramsey, in terms of playing him as a killer and stuff, was his attention to detail, his meticulousness. There was a sort of delicate nature to him at times, and there was a beautiful intimacy here to explore with Eloise, where they are alone in a basement, or wherever they are, and just these two being really honest with each other, even if it is in this less-than-ideal circumstance. [Laughs] But so to find that light to his dark was really fun, and to play with those colors, it’s almost scarier.
Mumford Found It “Incredibly Important” To Do “Justice” To Shannon
“…they allowed Shannon to be more than a victim.”
Now, Eloise, you play Shannon, whose experience is a horrifying situation when she’s catfished and kidnapped, yet you maintain this remarkable strength throughout the ordeal. Can you talk about your approach to that aspect of Shannon’s character, and what message you have for viewers to take away from her resilience?
Eloise Mumford: Thank you. Yeah, it was incredibly important to me to do her justice, and also do justice to the people who have suffered tremendously horrific situations like that, where all you are doing is fighting for your life, fighting to survive in an unimaginable situation. So through that, it started with the writing, honestly. Ben Watkins, who created the show, and the rest of the writers, they allowed Shannon to be more than a victim.
They allowed her to be a real person, and I think that gives the story real stakes, and makes the whole thing all the scarier. I thought a lot about the seven stages of grief and layering that over her journey, so that every time you saw her, she was going through something different, as you would, I would imagine, in a situation where you’re in complete captivity, and you’re just trying to survive. So I hope that audiences take away from it that you do what you have to.
Ryan Eggold: And yeah, I just want to say, as an observer of your performance, it was fascinating watching this character and this actor perform to retain those last shreds of humanity amid a situation that would turn anyone into a feral animal trying to survive. And watching you play, trying to maintain those elements of humanity was fascinating to watch. And then, even still maintain the fight of, “How do I get out of this?”, and, “What tactic do you use today to play against this guy?”
Eloise Mumford: Yeah, and the grief, I thought, especially towards the end, a lot about what I would miss in this world if I were to die, as she is very aware that’s about to happen. So, in some strange way, it sort of became a meditation on the beauty of our world, our life. And so yeah, I hope that people, in the show in general, take away that it’s a heart-pumping, thrilling ride, but also that it’s grounded in tremendous humanity and heart.
AboutCross
Starring Aldis Hodge, Cross 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’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he’s 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.
Cross
Cast
Cross follows the life of Alex Cross, a skilled yet troubled homicide detective balancing his role as a devoted father and relentless crime investigator. Haunted by his wife’s murder, he navigates personal turmoil while persistently pursuing justice in the face of dangerous adversaries.
