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The BAU Is Back: 7 Criminal Minds Actors Returning For Evolution Season 3 And The Shocking Dr. Reid Update

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The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is officially back, and the cast of the beloved procedural drama Criminal Minds is set to return for its next chapter, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3. As of December 2025, the most electrifying news surrounding the show is the confirmed (albeit brief) return of a fan-favorite character, Dr. Spencer Reid, alongside the entire core team, promising a fresh wave of intense profiling and serialized drama that the revival series is known for.

The original Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons, establishing one of the most dedicated fanbases in television history. The Paramount+ revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, brought a darker, more serialized approach to the BAU’s work, and as the show gears up for its third season (sometimes referred to as Season 18 or 19), the cast dynamic remains the central draw, mixing veteran stability with a thrilling new storyline set to premiere in May 2025.

Complete Profile: The Core BAU Actors Returning for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3

The strength of Criminal Minds has always been the chemistry of its ensemble cast. The following actors are the confirmed core team members returning for the next season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, along with a detailed look at their full profiles and careers.

  • Joe Mantegna (SSA David Rossi)
    • Character Role: Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi, a seasoned veteran, founding member of the BAU, and a prolific author.
    • Date of Birth: November 13, 1947
    • Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, US
    • Notable Roles Outside CM: Tony in the stage production of Glengarry Glen Ross (winning a Tony Award), Joey Zasa in The Godfather Part III, and Fat Tony on The Simpsons.
  • Paget Brewster (Unit Chief Emily Prentiss)
    • Character Role: Unit Chief Emily Prentiss, a highly capable agent with a background in Interpol, who now leads the BAU team.
    • Date of Birth: March 10, 1969
    • Place of Birth: Concord, Massachusetts, US
    • Notable Roles Outside CM: Kathy in Friends, Sara Kingsley in Grandfathered, and various voice roles, including Della Duck in DuckTales.
  • A.J. Cook (SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau)
    • Character Role: Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, a former liaison turned profiler, known for her strong emotional intelligence.
    • Date of Birth: July 22, 1978
    • Place of Birth: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    • Notable Roles Outside CM: Mary Lisbon in The Virgin Suicides, Kimberly Corman in Final Destination 2, and a main role in the series Tru Calling.
  • Kirsten Vangsness (Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia)
    • Character Role: FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia, the team's indispensable hacker and communications specialist, who returned from her hiatus for the revival.
    • Date of Birth: July 7, 1972
    • Place of Birth: Pasadena, California, US
    • Notable Roles Outside CM: Recurring role in the spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and the web series Pretty the Series. She is also a writer.
  • Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid) - The Special Guest Return
    • Character Role: Dr. Spencer Reid, a genius Supervisory Special Agent with three PhDs and an eidetic memory.
    • Date of Birth: March 9, 1980
    • Place of Birth: Las Vegas, Nevada, US
    • Notable Roles Outside CM: Voice of Simon in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film series, Paul in (500) Days of Summer, and a published author and director.

The Shocking Dr. Reid Update: Matthew Gray Gubler’s Highly-Anticipated Return

For fans, the absence of Dr. Spencer Reid has been the single biggest question mark hanging over Criminal Minds: Evolution. Matthew Gray Gubler, who portrayed the brilliant but socially awkward profiler for 15 seasons, did not return for the first two seasons of the revival due to scheduling conflicts and other commitments.

However, the wait is almost over. Recent updates confirm that Matthew Gray Gubler is slated to reprise his role as Dr. Spencer Reid for one episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3.

This news has sent ripples of excitement through the fanbase. While the exact plot details surrounding his return are still under wraps, the appearance is expected to be a significant moment, likely tying into the ongoing narrative or resolving a long-standing question about his character's activities since the original series ended. This brief return is a powerful nod to the show's history and its most iconic character.

The storyline for Season 3 will continue the serialized format, focusing on the BAU's ongoing investigation into the network of UnSubs established in the previous seasons, with the core team facing new, complex threats.

The Full Evolution Ensemble: New and Returning Agents

The BAU team in Criminal Minds: Evolution is not just the original core; it also includes several key actors who joined the original series later and have become integral parts of the revival's success. Their return ensures the team remains a formidable force against the most cunning UnSubs.

The Returning Evolution Veterans

In addition to the main five, the following actors are confirmed to be returning for Season 3:

  • Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis: A forensic psychologist who joined the BAU in Season 11. Tyler's character provides a crucial clinical perspective on the minds of the UnSubs. She is a key component of the revitalized team.
  • Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez: A former Army Ranger and member of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force, Alvez brings a tactical and hands-on approach to the profiling unit. Rodriguez has been a main cast member since Season 12 of the original series.

The team's dynamic remains incredibly strong, balancing the veteran experience of Rossi and Prentiss with the technical skill of Garcia, the emotional depth of JJ, and the tactical edge of Alvez and Lewis.

New Faces and Guest Stars

To keep the narrative fresh and challenging, Criminal Minds: Evolution often introduces high-profile guest stars and new recurring characters. The biggest news for the upcoming season is the casting of veteran actress Jeri Ryan, who is set to join the show. Ryan, known for her roles in Star Trek: Voyager and Boston Public, is expected to play a pivotal role, likely as a formidable antagonist or a key figure in the season's overarching mystery.

This constant influx of new talent and complex characters helps the show maintain its high topical authority in the police procedural genre, ensuring that the new seasons feel distinct from the original run.

Where Are the Other Original BAU Legends Now?

While the focus is on the returning cast, many fans still hold a special place for the actors who defined the early years of Criminal Minds but have not returned for Evolution.

  • Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan): Moore, who played the beloved Derek Morgan for 11 seasons, has not returned for the revival. His departure from the original series was to pursue other opportunities, most notably his starring role as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in the CBS action drama S.W.A.T. His current commitment to S.W.A.T. makes a full-time return to the BAU unlikely, though he has had heartwarming public reunions with his former castmates, like Kirsten Vangsness.
  • Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner): Gibson, who played the stoic Unit Chief Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner, was dismissed from the original series in 2016. There has been no indication that he will return for the Evolution revival. His character's departure remains a point of historical interest for the show.
  • Mandy Patinkin (Jason Gideon): Patinkin, the original senior agent Jason Gideon, left the series early in Season 3 due to creative differences and discomfort with the show's dark subject matter. He has since had a highly successful career, including a major role in the series Homeland. His return to the BAU is considered highly improbable.

The upcoming season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, with its May 2025 premiere date, is poised to be one of the most exciting yet. The full cast is back, the serialized UnSub threat (like the chilling "Sicarius" storyline) continues to evolve, and the single-episode return of Dr. Reid guarantees a must-watch event for every fan of the BAU.

actors on criminal minds tv show
actors on criminal minds tv show

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