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The BAU's Next Chapter: Where Are The Actors On Criminal Minds TV Show Now? (2025 Update)

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The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) has captivated audiences for nearly two decades, transitioning from a beloved network procedural to a streaming phenomenon with Criminal Minds: Evolution. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the biggest question on every fan's mind is which familiar faces will return to hunt the most elusive UnSubs in the upcoming seasons. The good news is that the core team is back, but the most exciting update involves a long-missed genius.

The original Criminal Minds series ran for an astonishing 15 seasons, creating a revolving door of complex characters and a dedicated fanbase that followed the actors through their departures and returns. The revival, Evolution, brought the BAU back to life, focusing on the team tackling a network of serial killers. Below is the definitive, most up-to-date breakdown of the current cast, the massive return everyone is talking about, and what the original stars are doing now.

The BAU Roster: Complete Biography & Cast List (2005–2025)

To fully appreciate the current state of the Criminal Minds universe, it’s essential to look back at the core profilers who have defined the series. This list includes the main cast members from the original CBS run and the current Paramount+ revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution.

  • Joe Mantegna (SSA David Rossi): Joined in Season 3, replacing Jason Gideon. Rossi is a founding member of the BAU and the team's respected senior Supervisory Special Agent. He is the anchor of the current Evolution series.
  • A.J. Cook (SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau): Main cast Seasons 1–15, and Evolution. Started as the team's media liaison before becoming a full-fledged profiler.
  • Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia): Main cast Seasons 1–15, and Evolution. The quirky, indispensable technical analyst and communications liaison.
  • Paget Brewster (BAU Unit Chief Emily Prentiss): Main cast Seasons 2–7, 12–15, and Evolution. The current Unit Chief, known for her diplomatic skills and dark past.
  • Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid): Main cast Seasons 1–15. The team's genius Supervisory Special Agent and resident polymath, famous for his eidetic memory.
  • Shemar Moore (SSA Derek Morgan): Main cast Seasons 1–11, Guest Seasons 12–13. The former Chicago police officer and Supervisory Special Agent specializing in obsessional crimes.
  • Thomas Gibson (Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner): Main cast Seasons 1–12. The stoic, dedicated Unit Chief who led the team through its most intense cases.
  • Mandy Patinkin (SSA Jason Gideon): Main cast Seasons 1–2. The brilliant, yet tormented, founding member of the BAU.
  • Lola Glaudini (SSA Elle Greenaway): Main cast Seasons 1–2. A profiler specializing in sexual offense crimes.
  • Adam Rodriguez (SSA Luke Alvez): Main cast Seasons 12–15, and Evolution. A former Fugitive Task Force agent who joined the BAU.
  • Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis): Main cast Seasons 12–15, and Evolution. A forensic psychologist who interviews serial killers to determine their fitness for trial.

The Core Team Returns: What's Happening in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3

The revival series, Criminal Minds: Evolution, has been a massive success for Paramount+, proving that the hunger for complex criminal profiling remains strong. The series was quickly renewed, and the latest news confirms that the majority of the beloved BAU team is back and ready to face new threats.

The BAU Team That Never Left

The heart of the team remains intact for the upcoming Evolution Season 3. These BAU profilers have been the backbone of the series' continuation, ensuring the transition from network television to streaming felt seamless and familiar.

  • Joe Mantegna (David Rossi): Rossi continues to serve as the paternal figure and senior agent. His character’s emotional journey, particularly in the first season of Evolution dealing with the trauma of the UnSub Elias Voit, has added new, personal layers to his dedicated professionalism.
  • Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss): As the Unit Chief, Prentiss’s role has expanded to handling the political and bureaucratic challenges of the FBI, constantly fighting for her team's resources and autonomy.
  • A.J. Cook (Jennifer Jareau) and Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez): JJ and Alvez remain the primary agents in the field, often pairing up for tense confrontations. Their dynamic as experienced Supervisory Special Agents is crucial to the show's action.
  • Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia) and Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis): Garcia’s return to the BAU from her self-imposed exile was a key plot point in the revival, and her technical genius is irreplaceable. Dr. Lewis continues to provide essential forensic psychology expertise, grounding the team's profiles in clinical analysis.

The Scoop: Matthew Gray Gubler’s Highly Anticipated Return

The most significant and exciting piece of news for Criminal Minds fans in 2025 is the official confirmation of Dr. Spencer Reid's return. Matthew Gray Gubler, who played the fan-favorite genius for 15 seasons, did not appear in the first two seasons of Evolution, with his absence explained by a mysterious "secret mission." However, it has been confirmed that Gubler is slated to return for at least one episode in the upcoming Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3.

This news has generated immense buzz across social media and fan forums. Reid's eidetic memory, encyclopedic knowledge, and complex relationships with the other profilers were central to the original series' success. His brief return promises to be a major event, potentially shedding light on his character's activities during his time away and offering a powerful reunion with his BAU family, especially Penelope Garcia.

Where Are the Original Criminal Minds Stars Now? (Post-BAU Careers)

Not all of the original BAU cast members have returned for the Criminal Minds revival, but they have certainly not slowed down. These actors have branched out into new projects, from other hit television shows to theater and new streaming series, keeping their careers fresh and dynamic in 2024 and 2025.

Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan)

Shemar Moore, who played the charismatic Derek Morgan, has successfully transitioned to another major CBS procedural. He is the star of the action drama S.W.A.T., where he plays Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson. The series has been a massive hit, and in a very recent update, Moore is set to reprise his role in a new spin-off movie, S.W.A.T. Exiles, with production scheduled to commence in the summer of 2025. This commitment makes a full-time return to Criminal Minds unlikely, but a guest appearance is always a possibility that fans hope for.

Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner)

Since his departure from Criminal Minds in Season 12, Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner) has kept a relatively lower profile on television. However, he made a notable return to his roots in 2024. Gibson, whose career began in theater, returned to the stage for a critically acclaimed run in an off-Broadway production in New York in March 2024. This shift back to theater marks a deliberate career change for the former Unit Chief, focusing on live performance over network television.

Mandy Patinkin (Jason Gideon)

Mandy Patinkin, the original senior profiler Jason Gideon, left the series early but has enjoyed a stellar post-BAU career. Following his Emmy-nominated role in Homeland, Patinkin is currently starring alongside his real-life wife, Kathryn Grody, in the comedy series Seasoned. The show, which is based on their own delightfully tumultuous relationship during the COVID-19 lockdown, was featured at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, showcasing his versatility. He is also involved in narrative work, returning in 2024 to narrate new stories for "Exile."

Lola Glaudini (Elle Greenaway)

Lola Glaudini, who portrayed Elle Greenaway in the first two seasons, has maintained a steady career in television. Since leaving the BAU, she has secured guest and recurring roles on a number of high-profile shows, including the Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as appearances on procedural dramas like Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The Legacy of the Criminal Minds Cast

The enduring success of the Criminal Minds franchise, now in its Evolution era, is a testament to the incredible talent and chemistry of its cast. The show's ability to retain core members like Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, and Kirsten Vangsness, while strategically bringing back fan-favorites like Paget Brewster and now Matthew Gray Gubler, is the key to its longevity. The Criminal Minds revival has successfully honored the legacy of the original BAU team while introducing a darker, serialized format perfect for the streaming age.

Whether you're a fan of the original 15 seasons or a newcomer to the Evolution series, the dedication of these actors on the Criminal Minds TV show to their complex roles—from the stoic leadership of Hotchner to the technical wizardry of Garcia—ensures that the hunt for the UnSub will continue to be a compelling watch for years to come. The return of Dr. Reid for Season 3 is the ultimate promise that the most beloved characters are never truly gone.

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

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