Jeanine Mason from Cross Reveals Intent to Duplicate Her Character’s Impressive Back Tattoo
Jeanine Mason‘s back tattoo featured in Prime Video’s Cross could rival Ben Affleck‘s famous ink — and she’s even contemplating making it a permanent addition to her body.
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly, Mason and her co-star Matthew Lillard, who joined for season 2, shared their thoughts on the show’s success.
“Every job brings new adventures with each episode. You never quite know what to expect since both of us auditioned for these roles before Cross even existed. We initially signed on based on just 10 audition pages,” Lillard, who portrays Lance, explained. “It’s truly a joy to play these characters and to be a part of this universe, especially since Cross has become a worldwide sensation.”
Lillard commended the show’s popularity, noting, “They garnered 40 million views in the first 20 days. We’re thrilled to be part of a hit show and excited for people to join us on this journey. It’s going to be a fantastic experience.”
Mason added that they feel “personally invested” in the success of the second season.
“During a screening and panel, someone asked if [my character’s back] tattoo is real. I said, ‘If this goes well in 20 days, I’m going to get the tattoo,’” Mason, who plays a vigilante named Luz, revealed to Us. Lillard interjected, saying, “This is insane. I don’t think you should tell anyone because the more you share, the riskier it becomes.”
Lillard humorously suggested that tattoo artists should start applying to recreate Luz’s expansive back tattoo and added, “This isn’t ideal for Janine. She’s a new mother with a growing career, and getting a huge back tattoo is not the best idea.”
Cross, which debuted in 2024, is based on the Alex Cross novel series by James Patterson. The story follows forensic psychologist and homicide D.C. Metro Detective Alex Cross as he tracks down some of America’s most dangerous criminals. Alongside his partner, Cross navigates the treacherous criminal underworld while striving to keep his family safe.
In addition to Mason and Lillard, Cross features Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, and Jennifer Wigmore.
“[The material] resonated with me and is incredibly timely. It has gained even more relevance with the way Luz approaches her personal activism,” Mason shared with Us. “We can all understand a system that might lead someone to such actions. Major credit goes to the writers.”
New episodes of Cross are released on Wednesdays on Prime Video.
