Criminal Minds just killed off a character from the OG show — so what does that mean for the future of the franchise?
During the Thursday, May 15, episode of Paramount+’s Criminal Minds: Evolution, JJ’s (A. J. Cook) husband, Will (Josh Stewart), collapsed after experiencing a headache. The team rushed to the hospital to support JJ, only to find out that Will didn’t make it.
Adam Rodriguez, who plays Luke, weighed in on the shocking moment, exclusively telling Us Weekly, “It’s not somebody you want to see die.” According to the actor, 50, Will’s death will show us a side of JJ we have never seen before.
“It gave AJ the actress a chance to really demonstrate the level of talent that she has,” he teased. “Because I think she’s a great actress and having this to play really gave her an opportunity to sink her teeth into something substantial.”
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Rodriguez acknowledged that not every fan would be pleased by the decision.
“Her character — and fans of the show — are tough. This was an opportunity to let JJ’s guard down. Obviously she has to be strong for her family but you really get to see that vulnerable side of her,” he continued. “She’s had an opportunity to get some great stuff to do and I’m glad people are getting to see that.”
Before Thursday’s twist, Stewart, 48, had a recurring role as Will since 2007. Viewers have tuned in week after week to watch a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama explores different fictional cases and shows how behavioral analysis helps the team locate their unknown subjects.
Criminal Minds wrapped up in 2020 but has since been revived by Paramount+, which raises the stakes.
“You never want to turn the page [and find out that your character was killed off]. But I will say that thanks to our boss and leader on the show, [showrunner] Erica Messer, no one would be surprised by that. You would definitely get a call long before that was going to happen,” Rodriguez told Us. “You would be given a heads up, I can say for sure. But nobody wants to get that call.”
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Rodriguez praised Criminal Minds for being a good place to work, adding, “We love being there. This is such a dream job. It is just such a wonderful place to show up and go to work every day. Nobody wants it to be over and nobody wants to leave. So hopefully we get to do the show for a long time.”
He continued: “Hopefully nobody gets sacrificed for the sake of good television and we find some other people that we can build enough merit. Will ended up serving that purpose this year. But I think it just brings something else to the show that fans can enjoy and suffer through with us.”
Stewart previously addressed his surprising exit, writing via X in January 2024, “[S]adly, my days of playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over. You guys have been the absolute best.”
New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution air Thursdays on Paramount+.
