Mystery Unleashed: Evolution Season 2 - Latest Updates, Returning Cast & Intriguing Details

Summary

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is confirmed and will continue the beloved procedural with its gritty storytelling and focus on characters.

Speculation surrounds the potential return of Aaron Hotchner, portrayed by Thomas Gibson, in season 2. However, unless significant changes occur, the likelihood seems slim.

The anticipated release date for season 2 might be postponed due to the WGA Writers Strike. Nevertheless, viewers can anticipate the return of the familiar cast, along with the possibility of introducing new supporting characters.

After being revived on Paramount Plus following 15 seasons on CBS, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is set to extend the beloved procedural for another year. Centered around the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, the show delves into criminal profiling and delves into the psychology of crime prevention. Known for its gritty and topical stories, Criminal Minds stands out among procedural shows due to its clever writing and character-driven focus.

Despite being on the air for over a decade, the show garnered enough popularity to warrant a full-scale revival a few years after its cancellation. In Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, familiar characters from the original series returned and continued their story arcs. While the cast remained unchanged, the format of the show transformed into a serialized format, spanning 10 episodes. Freed from the constraints of network TV scheduling, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 could give more attention to each story, and this trend will carry on into season 2.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Latest News

In July 2023, some astonishing news emerged regarding season 2 of Criminal Minds: Evolution. The focus has primarily been on the potential reprisals of Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer Reid and Shemar Moore's Derek Morgan. However, one former cast member, Aaron Hotchner portrayed by Thomas Gibson, was deemed unlikely to return and thus was not the subject of discussions. That is until a fortuitous encounter on the SAG-AFTRA picket line. Gibson recently met with Criminal Minds producer and writer Andrew Wilder, and he shared a photo of their meeting on Instagram. The picture was taken during the strike, with Wilder supporting the WGA and Gibson supporting SAG-AFTRA. This encounter has sparked renewed interest in Hotch's comeback for Criminal Minds season 2. While the Instagram post has generated fervent speculation among the Criminal Minds fan community, it is important to note that, unless there are significant changes, the chances of Thomas Gibson rejoining Criminal Minds: Evolution for season 2 are almost nonexistent.

Thomas Gibson's departure from Criminal Minds in 2016 was fraught with controversy. His exit strained his relationship with the network, and his character Hotch has been minimally acknowledged ever since. Nevertheless, it is worth considering the possibility of Agent Hotchner's return to the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 cast, particularly from a storytelling standpoint.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Is Confirmed

Despite the indefinite delay of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 due to the WGA Writers Strike, the show has officially been renewed in January 2023 and is confirmed to be happening. Similar to its successful fifteen-year run on CBS, Criminal Minds: Evolution has maintained its popularity and was never at risk of being cancelled on Paramount Plus. With the freedom to take their time and not rush a full-length network TV season, Criminal Minds: Evolution has the opportunity to extend beyond season 2 and establish itself as a prominent streaming institution, setting a precedent for other procedural shows.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Release Date

The first season of Criminal Minds: Evolution premiered on Paramount Plus in November 2022, with the anticipated return of season 2 scheduled around the same time. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing delays caused by the WGA Writers Strike, it will be impossible for the second season to be released in winter 2023. Despite the efficient production and post-production processes of shows like Criminal Minds, shooting and editing a 10-episode slate still require several months. Considering the strike, the earliest possible release date for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 would be spring 2024.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Cast

It is anticipated that the cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 will consist of familiar faces, as procedural series generally retain the same actors across seasons. Based on current information, it is highly likely that Joe Mantegna will reprise his role as David Rossi, and Paget Brewster will return as Emily Prentiss. Moreover, AJ Cook is expected to come back as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, along with Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, and Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez.

The future of the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 cast remains uncertain, although it is possible for characters like Tyler Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka) and Will LaMontagne Jr. (Josh Stewart) to make an appearance due to their connections with the main cast. Unfortunately, the shocking demise of Deputy Director Doug Bailey, portrayed by Nicholas D'Agosto, suggests that he may not return. However, his enigmatic link to Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) could potentially result in his presence through flashbacks. As for Voit, despite being in custody at the end of the season, it is highly likely that he will resurface, considering that his intricate web of serial killings had just begun to unravel in season 1.

Will Reid & Morgan Return For Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2?

The cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 mostly consisted of characters from the CBS series. However, two notable absences were apparent. Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Gray Gubler, was not present, and Derek Morgan, portrayed by Shemar Moore, was also not mentioned. While Moore's character left Criminal Minds in season 11, there remains a possibility for him to make a cameo appearance in the cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2. Similarly, Reid departed the show after season 15, but there is no reason why the character couldn't return.

The unresolved ending of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 left the audience in suspense regarding the interviewer's identity when it came to Voit. This left a strong indication that the enigmatic character could be someone familiar to the viewers. Following the cancellation of CBS's TV series S.W.A.T. after its seventh season in 2023, there was a possibility that the well-known TV star Shemar Moore could have returned to his role as Morgan. However, CBS changed their decision and granted S.W.A.T. another season. On the other hand, Gubler's series Dollface concluded in 2022, which opens up the possibility for him to reprise his role as Reid. Gubler portrayed Reid for over 300 episodes.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Story

In contrast to the original series' episodic format, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 took a serialized approach, allowing for the development of larger ongoing storylines. As season 2 unfolds, the aftermath of Voit's capture will be explored, potentially revealing the intricate conspiracy surrounding the enigmatic Gold Star. The loss of Deputy Director Bailey will undoubtedly affect the team deeply, while Rossi's close brush with death may transform the seasoned veteran. Although specific plot details remain unconfirmed, it is expected that the serialized storytelling in Criminal Minds: Evolution will follow a similar trajectory as its episodic predecessor.