Paramount+’s endeavor takes a longer storytelling format.
This way,Criminal Minds: Evolutionis able to fully explore the case as it did with Elias Voit.
However, her tumultuous relationship with Erin Strauss made work tricky for her.
Alex left the BAU due to psychological trauma, opting to carve a path as a teacher.
It’s also a great opportunity to finally see her interact with Prentiss.
6Kevin Lynch
Penelope Garcia has always been the BAU’s tech analyst.
After his initial involvement, Kevin became a recurring guest star inCriminal Minds.
His return could also add excitement to Penelope and Luke Alvez’s burgeoning romance.
That being said, Paramount+ may opt to recast the character, considering Brendon’s run-ins with the law.
Narratively,Criminal Minds: Evolutionhas yet to offer a concrete answer about his whereabouts.
Even Prentiss is being kept in the dark about it.
However, this also confirms that he remains an active FBI operative.
Given this, it’s possible thatCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 reunites him with the BAU.
4Aaron Hotchner
WhenCriminal Mindsdebuted in 2005, it had seven main characters.
Still, it remains one of, if not the biggest exit inCriminal Minds' history.
Gibson’s departure was abrupt and controversial.
He was fired from the show after an on-set altercation preceded by similar issues in the past.
Narratively, CBS was able to find a reason for his sudden absence without needing an on-screen farewell.
This was understandable given everything they had been through by then.
However, it has already been more than a decade since Hotch’s departure.
Jack no longer needs close supervision and Scratch has long been gone.
Narratively, there’s nothing stopping from him coming back.
As mentioned, the young Hotchner is now a full adult.
Instead of tying the Hotchners to a case, maybe it could be a personal narrative for the BAU.
Narratively, the profiler decided that it was time to retire and focus on his growing family.
1Spencer Reid
Arguably the biggest absence inCriminal Minds: Evolutionis Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid.
