Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for Criminal Minds: EvolutionFollowing in the footsteps of the original Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds: Evolution continues the earlier show's legacy, boasting an impressive cast of characters. After Criminal Minds' cancelation in 2020, there were doubts over whether the series' most iconic characters would ever make a comeback. However, with several cast members returning for Criminal Minds: Evolution, the Paramount+ series is a very exciting development for long-time viewers.
Criminal Minds: Evolution takes place in a real-world contemporary setting, chronicling the aftermath of the 2020 COVID pandemic. The show follows classic characters like David Rossi, Jennifer Jareau, and the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they track a collection of killers thriving in the post-pandemic world. However, as well as faces familiar to most Criminal Minds fans, Criminal Minds: Evolution also includes a new group of franchise debutants who certainly make an impression. Here is the complete Criminal Minds: Evolution cast and character guide.
Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
One of the longest-standing members of the Criminal Minds team, Mantegna's David Rossi was canonically coaxed out of retirement back in Criminal Minds season 3. However, he returns in Criminal Minds: Evolution as an integral part of the team and mentor to some younger members. Famously flamboyant, Rossi offers a more extroverted perspective than some of his more restrained colleagues. Although David Rossi is perhaps Mantegna's most famous role, he is also known for his performances in The Godfather Part III and as the voice of Fat Tony in The Simpsons.
A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau
An almost ever-present throughout Criminal Minds' original run, Cook's Jennifer Jareau was first introduced in season 1, episode 2 – a testament to her longevity. Originally the BAU's liaison with the police and media, Jareau's role changed when she became an official profiler in Criminal Minds season 7. While Criminal Minds is certainly Cook's most famous role, she has also featured in projects as diverse as Final Destination 2 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
As the technical analyst of the BAU in both Criminal Minds and its spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Vangsness' Penelope Garcia was already an integral part of the franchise ahead of Criminal Minds: Evolution. As one of the more emotional members of the team, Garcia occasionally finds the upsetting nature of some Criminal Minds cases difficult to process. However, she is also indispensable, having been a series regular since the very first episode. Kirsten Vangsness has also appeared in movies like The Chicago 8 and Dave Made A Maze, although Criminal Minds is her most famous role.
Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez
One of the newer members of the team, Adam Rodriguez's Luke Alvez didn't appear until season 12. However, he has since cemented his status as a key member of the core Criminal Minds BAU team. Haunted by the guilt associated with the torture of his former partner, Alvez is one of the most psychologically complex Criminal Minds: Evolution characters. Rodriguez is something of a crime drama veteran, having featured extensively in CSI: Miami as Eric Delko.
Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis
Like Alvez, forensic psychologist and Supervisory Special Agent Tara Lewis was a relative Criminal Minds latecomer, having made her debut in season 11. However, despite only being originally conceived as a guest character, Lewis supposedly impressed the producers so much that she became a series regular. In addition to Criminal Minds, Tyler has enjoyed many prominent roles in film and television, including CSI, Friends and Archer as the voice of Lana Kane.
Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
Another Criminal Minds veteran, Brewster's Emily Prentiss was first introduced back in season 2. Although her time on the series has been less consistent than other characters (such as Rossi) Prentiss is nonetheless beloved by the fanbase for her signature sarcastic wit and occasional emotional vulnerability. Beyond Prentiss, Paget Brewster is also known for her roles in BoJack Horseman and Community.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Supporting Cast & Characters
Zach Gilford as Elias Voit: The main antagonist for Criminal Minds: Evolution, Elias Voit is responsible for organizing the network of killers causing havoc in the aftermath of the pandemic. Gilford is primarily known for his role in sports drama series Friday Night Lights, but recently won acclaim for his performance in Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass.
Josh Stewart as William LaMontagne, Jr.: As Jennifer Jareau's husband, William La Montagne, Jr. has been a familiar face since Criminal Minds season 2. Actor Josh Stewart is easily recognizable from a supporting role in The Dark Knight Rises, as well as his performance as the main antagonist in Netflix's The Punisher.
Nicole Pacent as Rebecca: A new member of the cast, Nicole Pacent's Rebecca is romantically involved with Tara Lewis. In addition to Criminal Minds: Evolution, Pacent has also featured in Westworld and CSI: Vegas.
New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution air Thursdays on Paramount+ in the US and Disney+ worldwide