The BAU's Next Chapter: 7 Criminal Minds Actors And Their Shocking 2025 Updates

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is back, and the profiling is more intense than ever. As of December 2025, the biggest news for fans of the long-running procedural drama is the highly-anticipated return of the revival series, Criminal Minds: Evolution, which is set to premiere its third season (Season 18 overall) on Paramount+ in May 2025. This latest installment continues the dark, serialized format, bringing back the core team to face new, terrifying criminal masterminds, while also addressing the lingering question of whether fan-favorite Dr. Spencer Reid will finally return to the fold.

This article provides an in-depth look at the current status of the main Criminal Minds TV show actors—both the veterans anchoring the new series and the iconic cast members whose returns remain the subject of constant speculation. From new projects to surprising cameo announcements, here is everything you need to know about the stars of the BAU in 2025, ensuring you are up-to-date with the freshest information on the cast and their careers.

The BAU Core: Complete Profiles and Current Projects (2025)

The success of Criminal Minds: Evolution rests on the shoulders of the returning cast, who seamlessly transitioned from the original CBS run to the grittier streaming platform. These profiles detail the main actors anchoring the series in 2025, along with their key biographical details and recent non-BAU endeavors.

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• Joe Mantegna as SSA David Rossi
  • Born: November 13, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Role: Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU who returned from retirement.
  • Key Facts: Mantegna joined the series in Season 3, replacing Mandy Patinkin. He is a Tony Award winner for his stage work.
  • Current Projects: Outside of playing the beloved David Rossi, Mantegna continues his long-running voice role as the mob boss Fat Tony (and sometimes Fit Tony) on the animated series The Simpsons.
• Paget Brewster as Unit Chief Emily Prentiss
  • Born: March 10, 1969, in Concord, Massachusetts.
  • Role: Unit Chief Emily Prentiss, the team's leader with a complex background in Interpol.
  • Key Facts: Brewster is a versatile actress known for her comedic and dramatic roles, including a recurring role as Kathy on Friends early in her career.
  • Current Projects: In addition to filming Evolution Season 3 (and Season 4, which has already wrapped filming), Brewster recently lent her voice to the Audible Original project, The Signal.
• A.J. Cook as SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau
  • Born: July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
  • Role: Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, the former media liaison who became a profiler.
  • Key Facts: A Canadian actress, Cook began her career as a competitive dancer before moving into acting. She is one of the longest-running cast members.
  • Current Projects: Cook's career is primarily focused on the Criminal Minds franchise, where she continues to be a central figure.
• Kirsten Vangsness as Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia
  • Born: July 7, 1972, in Pasadena, California.
  • Role: Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia, the team's indispensable and quirky computer genius.
  • Key Facts: Vangsness is the only actor to appear in every episode of the original series and the revival. She is also a writer, having co-written five episodes of the original Criminal Minds.
  • Current Projects: Vangsness is a dedicated stage performer and writer, often involved in the Los Angeles theatre scene when not filming.
• Adam Rodriguez as SSA Luke Alvez
  • Born: April 2, 1975, in Yonkers, New York.
  • Role: Supervisory Special Agent Luke Alvez, a former Army veteran and Fugitive Task Force agent.
  • Key Facts: Rodriguez is well-known for his role as Eric Delko on CSI: Miami before joining the BAU in Season 12. He is also a screenwriter and director.
  • Current Projects: Rodriguez continues his work as an actor and director, with his primary focus being the intense workload of Criminal Minds: Evolution.
• Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis
  • Born: September 18, 1970, in San Francisco, California.
  • Role: Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist who specializes in judicial psychology.
  • Key Facts: Tyler is a multi-talented comedian, actress, and talk show host, known for her roles in Friends and as the host of *Whose Line Is It Anyway?*.
  • Current Projects: Beyond the BAU, Tyler is a prolific voice actress and continues to work in comedy and hosting.

The Status of Fan-Favorites: Will Reid and Morgan Return in Season 18?

The most persistent questions among the Criminal Minds fanbase revolve around two beloved characters: Dr. Spencer Reid and SSA Derek Morgan. Their absence from the first two seasons of Evolution has left a significant gap, which the showrunners have been keen to address.

Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid) Returns—For One Episode

The news fans have been waiting for has finally arrived. Matthew Gray Gubler, who played the genius but socially awkward Dr. Spencer Reid for 15 seasons, is officially slated to return for a guest appearance in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 (Season 18). While the exact plot details surrounding his return are being kept under wraps, the highly anticipated episode is expected to be a major highlight of the new season, finally explaining Reid's absence from the BAU's current operations.

Gubler's decision to return, even for a single episode, is a significant win for the series, as his character was a cornerstone of the original show. His time away from the BAU has been busy. The actor, director, and author has been focusing on other creative ventures, including his successful children’s books. In 2025, Gubler also began starring in the new CBS series Einstein, where he plays a brilliant, non-conformist physicist who works with local law enforcement, a role that keeps him in the CBS family but far from the BAU's bullpen.

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Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) and the Frustrating Update

Shemar Moore, who played the charismatic and protective SSA Derek Morgan, remains a fan-favorite whose possible return is constantly discussed. Moore left the original series in Season 11 to focus on his personal life and other career opportunities, most notably his lead role as Hondo in the CBS action-drama S.W.A.T.

Unfortunately for fans, a full-time or even a guest return for Moore in Evolution Season 3 seems unlikely. Showrunner Erica Messer has provided a "frustrating update," indicating that scheduling conflicts with Moore's demanding role on S.W.A.T. continue to be the main obstacle. While fellow cast member Paget Brewster has expressed her hope for his return, there is currently no official indication that Derek Morgan will be reuniting with the team in the 2025 season.

The Legacy Actors: Patinkin and Gibson

No discussion of the Criminal Minds cast is complete without mentioning the two major actors who departed the series under less-than-ideal circumstances: Mandy Patinkin and Thomas Gibson.

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Mandy Patinkin (Jason Gideon)

Mandy Patinkin, who played the original BAU Unit Chief SSA Jason Gideon, famously left the series abruptly after Season 2. His departure was dramatic, and the actor has since been vocal about his deep regret over his involvement with the show, calling it his "biggest mistake" due to the dark and violent nature of the content. Given his strong public statements and subsequent success in shows like Homeland and The Good Fight, a return for Agent Gideon, even in a flashback or dream sequence, remains highly improbable.

Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner)

Thomas Gibson, who played the stoic and dedicated Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner, was dismissed from the show in Season 12 following an on-set incident. His character's exit was explained as Hotch entering witness protection. Because his departure was a termination rather than an amicable split, a return for Thomas Gibson is generally considered impossible. The BAU has moved on under Emily Prentiss's leadership, focusing on new threats like the serial killer network in the Evolution storyline.

As Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 (Season 18) prepares to premiere on May 8, 2025, the BAU team is solidified, the stakes are higher, and the possibility of Spencer Reid’s return adds a layer of excitement that fans have desperately craved. The cast, both on-screen and off, continues to evolve, proving that the legacy of the BAU is far from over.