Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Begins Filming – Will Reid and Hotch Make a Return?
(Image credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+)
As the cameras start rolling on Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 (technically Season 18 of the beloved series), the excitement is already brewing. Season 2 left fans on the edge of their seats with a jaw-dropping finale that put Prentiss in peril from start to finish. While the good guys came out alive by the end, a shocking cliffhanger involving Voit ensured the suspense was far from over. Now, with filming underway, the behind-the-scenes snapshots are flooding in – and they’re sparking major memories of what showrunner Erica Messer teased about two fan-favorites: Reid and Hotch.
Before Season 2 even dropped, Criminal Minds: Evolution had already been renewed for another season. Fans who subscribe to Paramount+ were able to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the story wasn’t ending anytime soon. The third season has kicked off just weeks after the nail-biting conclusion of Season 2. Messer even gave us some insight into the mind-blowing Voit twist, but for now, let’s talk about those smiles behind the scenes. They’re almost too sunny for such a dark show, aren’t they?
Despite the beaming cast members in these BTS pics, don’t expect the same happiness to carry over to their characters when Season 18 hits our screens – unless, of course, Prentiss decides to whip out her snacks again! Still, it’s a relief to see the stars of the show looking so joyful after such an intense ride. However, not everyone from the original cast has joined the revival. Notably absent are Matthew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, and Thomas Gibson, who haven’t appeared in Evolution yet.
Gibson’s exit as Hotch back in 2016 came with plenty of drama, and while his character wasn’t killed off, his abrupt departure meant no proper closure. Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan had a smoother exit, so his absence isn’t as shocking. As for Reid? Fans were left hanging. Gubler’s scheduling conflicts kept him from reprising his role, though he remains part of the FBI in the storyline. In Season 2, Prentiss casually mentioned Reid being on sabbatical, while another character, Jill Gideon (played by Felicity Huffman), made sure to ask after him, Hotch, and Morgan.
The nods to these beloved characters didn’t go unnoticed, and showrunner Erica Messer explained just how vital it was to keep them part of the story, even from a distance. “It would have felt strange not to mention Reid, Hotch, and Morgan,” Messer shared. “Jill’s questions reminded us that we got closure with Morgan, but not with Hotch. His exit was forced by real-life circumstances, and we might never get that closure. Reid, though… we’re still holding out hope.”
Messer praised Huffman’s portrayal of Jill, particularly in her scenes with Joe Mantegna’s Rossi. Their shared history added depth to their dynamic. “Felicity came into this with forty years of knowing Joe. There’s not many people who call him ‘Joey,’ but she does. Their scenes together were electric – they just slipped into it like they’d been doing it forever.”
Huffman, known for her work on Desperate Housewives, may have seemed like an unusual choice for Criminal Minds, but she delivered every line with conviction. Messer was in awe: “This isn’t the kind of show she’s known for, but she nailed it. I believed every word.”
Although Huffman isn’t pictured in the recent BTS images, that doesn’t mean we won’t see her in Season 3. Casting news is still under wraps, but fingers crossed that she’ll make a return. And what about Reid? A cameo from Gubler would undoubtedly thrill fans, but even if it doesn’t happen, the first two seasons of Evolution proved that the show can still thrive.
For now, we wait in anticipation for the new episodes and the potential return of some of our favorite BAU agents. In the meantime, fans can revisit all seventeen seasons of the original Criminal Minds on Paramount+ – and brace themselves for the next thrilling chapter.
