Spoilers alert: This article contains spoilers for Criminal Minds season 16.
Welcome back to the BAU!
Next month sees the return of our prolific profilers in the spin-off of CBS’ Criminal Minds, dutifully dubbed Evolution, for a 17th season on Paramount+. After the team’s triumph over Elias Volt (Zach Gilford), the mastermind behind a serial killer network curated under the cover of the Covid-19 pandemic, they must now face a new threat known only as ‘Gold Star’, which could rumble the very institution they swear to protect.
It has been confirmed that this season will see the return of show veterans,’ played by Paige Brewster (Prentiss), Joe Mantegna (Rossi), A.J. Cook (JJ), Kirsten Vangsness (Garcia), Aisha Tyler (Tara) and Adam Rodriguez (Luke). Filming began on January 16th this year, and Brewster expressed her excitement on X to back in front of the camera:
We are working hard at season 2 of @criminalminds ! We’ve always been a scrappy little underdog show. We’re next to the train tracks and a waste treatment plant but we are still here and we love it! Thank you for loving us back. pic.twitter.com/0SDatse1dq
— paget brewster (@pagetpaget) March 13, 2024
Season 16 saw Garcia, a lovably eclectic technical analyst, unexpectedly caught up in a love triangle between Agent Luke Alvez and bad boy heartthrob, Tyler (Ryan-James Hatanaka). During an interview with Variety, showrunner Emily Messler expanded on this developing romantic dynamic coming in season 17S17,, She stated: “We want to keep exploring that, so it’s gonna get a little more complicated next year because he’s going to be around still, sort of consulting, and where it gets messy now is Alvez knows about it.”
Garcia has been less than lucky in love throughout the Criminal Minds universe; from being shot by her first seductive suitor in season three, to a messy break-up with a fellow analyst in season seven. The fanbase, recently dubbed the ‘Profilers’ on the show’s TikTok, will be on tenterhooks to analyse Garcia’s potential beaus.
Another well-loved character, Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) will not be returning for the season, much to the disappointment of many. However, Messler has confirmed that the ten episodes will hark back to its roots with multiple UnSubs rearing their ugly heads amongst an overarching villain story. They hope to provide something tougher, and darker, which has always been part of the show’s DNA.
‘Profilers’ should have their ‘go bags’ packed and be ready for wheels up on June 6th on Paramount+.
Words by Phoebe Coombes
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