An UnSub with a horrifyingly deep military and/or law enforcement background will keep the BAU busy in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2, as you can see in the new trailer above.
In Evolution Season 1, the BAU’s elite profilers went up against Elias Voit, an UnSub who had spent the COVID pandemic cultivating a network of serial killers. The team in question was comprised of franchise vets Paget Brewster (as Emily Prentiss), Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), A.J. Cook (JJ Jareau), Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia), Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis) and Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez), while Friday Night Lights vet Zach Gilford played the aforementioned Elias.
The new season, premiering Thursday, June 6 (with the first two of 10 episodes), picks up as the team investigates the mystery of Gold Star. As that conspiracy unfolds, the BAU is met with an unexpected complication when Voit negotiates a deal that transfers him to federal custody, in the BAU’s own backyard.
As showrunner Erica Messer shared with TVLine during our set visit, only two weeks have passed since Voit’s capture, giving Prentiss only a bit of time “to sort of figure out what’s going with this Gold Star mystery that she thinks had something to do with [FBI Deputy Director] Doug Bailey’s death.
“She’s having a little survivor’s guilt,” Messer previewed. “She’s struggling with that quite a bit.”
For the new season, Brewster, Mantegna, Cook, Vangsness, Tyler and Rodriguez are all returning — as are both Gilford and Ryan-James Hatanaka, who played onetime person of interest Tyler Green. (Mantegna, Cook, Tyler and Rodriguez and Gilford also directed episodes.)
As TVLine previously reported, former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Clark Gregg is now heading up the FBI in the Paramount+ series’ sophomore run. Read on to find out who Gregg, Brian White and Tuc Watkins will be playing… to get scoop on a return from the original CBS series… to watch the teaser trailer… and to see the official Season 2 poster.
Gregg will appear in multiple episodes as FBI Director Ray Madison, who has brokered a deal with Elias Voit to assist with a major investigation. The Director gives the BAU the arduous task of utilizing Voit and his connections, while (hopefully!) keeping the serial killer at arm’s length.
Gregg’s previous TV credits include Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Painkiller, The New Adventures of Old Christine, The West Wing and a recent Will Trent guest spot.
White appears in four episodes as Vincent Orlov, Elias Voit’s shady attorney. Voit utilizes Orlov as his “cat’s paw” to gain footing against the BAU while he’s locked in an isolation cell. White’s previous TV credits include The Black Hamptons, Ray Donovan, Ambitions and Chicago Fire.
Watkins appears in multiple episodes as Frank Church, a presumed advocate for kids — though during their investigation, the BAU turns their sights onto Church when they come to suspect sinister motives. Watkins’ previous TV credits include Uncoupled, Black Monday, Desperate Housewives, Beggars and Choosers and One Life to Live.
The stand-up vet will reprise his Criminal Minds Season 15, Episode 4 role as Brian Garrity, a former neighbor of Emily Prentiss and a diehard conspiracy theorist who is being manipulated by someone intent on derailing the BAU’s season-long investigation. In addition to loads and loads of voice work over the decades (most recently in Star Trek: Lower Decks and The Great North) — and The Thrilling Adventure Hour, a podcast he has done with Paget Brewster — Tompkins’ on-camera TV credits include Rutherford Falls, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Mr. Show with Bob and David.
Want scoop on Criminal Minds: Evolution, or for any other TV show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
Ok, how can you not mention Paul F Tompkins years of playing Paget Brewster’s partner in (drunken paranormal) crime (solving) Frank Doyle in The Thrilling Adventure Hour? While not a TV credit, the connection to one of the stars of Criminal Minds seems worth mentioning. Hopefully this time they’ll get to interact a bit more.
Added.
Thanks, Matt. You’re the best!
The video is no available in my country. That would be Canada. 🙄
Not available in my country. Not surprised. I’ll wait for YouTube.
When will it be available to watch
“The new season, premiering Thursday, June 6 (with the first two of 10 episodes)….”
Can’t wait!!!!!!!!! 🥰🥳 just wish we could have my fantasy husband Dr Reid and the kickass (eye candy) Derek Morgan back.
Where is Matt Simmons?
In last season he and Reid are reassigned to other divisions in the FBI. Unlike most I like Matt I enjoyed his bromance with Alvez.
Made the right decison bringing Criminal Minds Back.
Thank you.
On pins & needles waiting for season 17 to start!
Can’t wait to see haow this season will play out with my favorite team having to “play nice” with Voit…..so many thoughts & feelings about that. I’ve been trying to figure out how “Gold Star” will be explained & what if anything will happen to the players when it is finally revealed. I’ve not a clue what it could be. See you all on June 6th!