Cross was born in Bristol on 9 February 1969. His initial career was solely as a Novelist, beginning with Mr In-Between, which was published in 1998 (and adapted into a film in 2001).
He later Diversified into television, writing an episode of the BBC spy drama Spooks in 2006 before becoming lead Writer on the sixth and seventh series of the show. He has also written for The Fixer and Doctor Who ("The Rings of Akhaten" and "Hide"). In 2010 he wrote a new adaptation of Whistle and I'll Come to You, from the story by M. R. James.
In 2011, Cross was included in Variety magazine's list of 10 Screenwriters to Watch. Whilst working for companies in the UK and the US, he lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife and two sons.
He has created three television series: BBC crime thrillers Luther and Hard Sun (for which he wrote all the episodes); and Crossbones, an action adventure pirate series for NBC (co-created with James V. Hart and Amanda Welles). Cross also co-wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film Mama.
