Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer weighs in on the return of other characters in the upcoming revival series streaming on Paramount +. Throughout its 15-season run on CBS, Criminal Minds featured of number of characters that came and went at the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). What was at the time considered the show's series finale aired in 2020.
Now, Criminal Minds is returning for season 16, titled Criminal Minds: Evolution. The revival show will feature six of the eight main characters returning from the most recent season, with actors Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster all back. The most notable Criminal Minds absences are Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney, who portrayed Dr. Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons. Gubler has the distinction of being with the series since it first debuted back in 2005, making this the first season he's missed.
When asked by EW how the presence of old characters like Reid, Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), or Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) will be felt in Criminal Minds season 16, Messer discussed the likelihood of certain familiar faces returning down the line. Check out her quote below:
So their desks will still have stuff on them. They haven't gone away. Shemar's character went away when his son was born. He stepped away from the FBI, so his desk has been empty for a while. But Dr. Reid's desk still has all of his books on it and all of his belongings. Almost that same time capsule that… I don't know if any of you have gone back to the office, but it's a weird experience because whatever was important to you in March 2020 is still sitting on that desk and must not have been that important because it's still sitting on that desk. So we want that connection still with Dr. Reid and Matt Simmons, who is on another assignment as well. It's something we can't really discuss. But if and when they return, it's up to them. It's dependent on their schedules. I can't promise anything right now. But it's the hope.
While Messer is leaving the door open for some characters to return, it's unlikely that Patinkin will be back for the revival, though his character could be mentioned. Despite being the lead of early seasons, Patinkin's Gideon left Criminal Minds in season 3 and was killed off-screen in season 10 by a former suspect. Additionally, another well-known character, Hotch, will likely not be seen, as actor Thomas Gibson was fired from the series in season 12. The remaining former members of the BAU have a higher likelihood of returning in this season of the revival or ones further in the future.
It's good to hear that there's an openness to having additional characters return to Criminal Minds, at least on Messer's part. Considering numerous actors who have departed the show have returned to reprise their roles in the past, there is a precedent, provided the actors are willing. For example, Brewster had two separate stints as a series regular along with guest starring in additional seasons. Moore has also returned as a guest star on multiple occasions after leaving Criminal Minds in season 11. As Messer likely does not want to give spoilers away before the revival series officially airs, viewers will have to wait and see if any additional characters stop by.
Source: EW