12 Criminal Minds Actors: Where Are They Now? Shocking 2025 Updates On The BAU Cast And Their New Projects

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) has always been a revolving door of brilliant minds, both on-screen and off. As of late December 2025, the cast of the original Criminal Minds and its massively popular revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, continues to make major headlines, with some returning for new seasons and others launching surprising new careers in film, theater, and even directing. This comprehensive guide provides the most current, up-to-date look at where your favorite profilers are now and the exciting new projects that have them booked well into 2025 and beyond.

The enduring popularity of the series, spanning 15 seasons and a successful streaming-era revival, means fan curiosity about the actors is at an all-time high. From the latest on Dr. Spencer Reid’s mysterious absence to the ambitious new series starring Mandy Patinkin, the lives of the Criminal Minds actors are anything but predictable.

The Complete BAU Profile: Criminal Minds Main Cast and 2025 Status

To understand the current landscape of the Criminal Minds universe, it’s essential to know the actors who defined the show and their most recent career moves. Here is a detailed biography and status report for the most significant cast members.

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• Joe Mantegna (SSA David Rossi): The veteran actor is the current anchor of the franchise, serving as both a star and occasional director. He is confirmed to return as SSA David Rossi for the upcoming Season 19 of Criminal Minds: Evolution, continuing his role as the team's seasoned leader and mentor.
• Paget Brewster (Unit Chief Emily Prentiss): Paget Brewster is not only returning for the next season of Criminal Minds: Evolution but is also confirmed to be bringing back a fan-favorite character in a major plot development. Outside of the BAU, she continues her prolific voice acting career.
• A.J. Cook (SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau): Cook is reprising her role as the compassionate yet tough SSA Jennifer Jareau in the new season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Her character remains a core emotional center of the BAU team.
• Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia): The only cast member to appear in every single episode of the original series and the revival, Vangsness is returning as the beloved technical analyst Penelope Garcia for Evolution Season 19, continuing her journey back to the BAU.
• Adam Rodriguez (SSA Luke Alvez): Rodriguez is confirmed to return as SSA Luke Alvez in the revival's next season, maintaining his position as the unit's former Fugitive Task Force expert.
• Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis): Dr. Lewis, the forensic psychologist, will also return for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19, solidifying the core BAU team’s presence in the ongoing hunt for the season’s UnSub.
• Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid): Gubler's return as the fan-favorite Dr. Spencer Reid has been the subject of intense speculation. While he was absent from the first two seasons of Evolution, he is slated to return for at least one episode in the upcoming season (Season 3/18/19), according to recent reports. He was also involved in a potential new CBS series, *Einstein*, for the 2025-2026 season.
• Shemar Moore (SSA Derek Morgan): After his departure from the original series, Moore has been the lead in the successful CBS series S.W.A.T. He is set to reprise his role as Hondo Harrelson in the highly anticipated S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff, with filming expected in Summer 2025.
• Thomas Gibson (Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner): Following his controversial departure from the series, Gibson has shifted his focus to theater. In 2025, he was announced to lead the cast of an invite-only NYC reading of a new play and co-starred in Charles Busch’s latest play, *Ibsen's Ghost*, marking a return to his stage roots.
• Mandy Patinkin (SSA Jason Gideon): The original BAU founder has been busy with prestige television. In 2025, Patinkin starred in the new limited series *The Artist*, premiering in March, and his series *SEASONED*, based on his real life with his wife, premiered at the Tribeca Festival.
• Daniel Henney (SSA Matt Simmons): After his run on the spin-off *Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders* and the main show, Henney has starred in the Amazon fantasy series *The Wheel of Time* (Season 3). He is also set to appear in the upcoming Korean film *Dog Days* and has taken on a new challenge as a director for the documentary *Do Anything*.

The Evolution of the BAU: New Faces and Shocking Returns in 2025

The shift from network television to a streaming platform (Paramount+) for Criminal Minds: Evolution has allowed the writers to explore darker, more continuous storylines, attracting new talent and facilitating major cast updates. The current focus remains on the core team hunting a network of serial killers.

The biggest news for the upcoming season is the return of a fan-favorite character, confirmed by Paget Brewster, which has fueled speculation about who will join the main cast of Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, and Kirsten Vangsness. The continuity of the BAU team—Rossi, Prentiss, JJ, Garcia, Alvez, and Dr. Lewis—is a testament to the actors' commitment to their roles and the enduring chemistry that fans crave.

Furthermore, the revival has introduced compelling new entities that have elevated the show’s topical authority. Zach Gilford, who played the chilling serial killer Elias Voit (The Sicarius), has been a critical addition, providing the BAU with a formidable long-term antagonist. Season 4/19 is also set to introduce new characters, with veteran actress Jeri Ryan confirmed to have joined the show, signaling a fresh dynamic for the BAU.

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From Profiling to Producing: The Current Projects of Former BAU Stars

The actors who left the BAU have found significant success in new ventures, proving the professional profiling training wasn't their only skill. Their career trajectories highlight the diverse talents that made the show so compelling.

Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T. Empire: Shemar Moore’s transition from Derek Morgan to Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson has been one of the most successful moves by any former cast member. His commitment to the *S.W.A.T.* franchise is evident with the announcement of the *S.W.A.T. Exiles* spinoff, which will see him continue to lead a new team.

Mandy Patinkin’s Prestige TV and Comedy: Mandy Patinkin, who famously left the show early due to the disturbing nature of the content, has since starred in critically acclaimed series like *Homeland* and is now shifting to more personal projects. His new show *SEASONED* is a major 2025 highlight, offering a comedic look at his real-life marriage.

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Thomas Gibson’s Return to the Stage: After his high-profile dismissal, Thomas Gibson has chosen to step away from the television spotlight and return to his roots in the theater. His work on plays like *Ibsen's Ghost* and new readings demonstrates a deliberate pivot to the stage, which was his first love before landing the role of Aaron Hotchner.

The Curiosities: Unanswered Questions and Future BAU Opportunities

The biggest question that continues to drive fan curiosity is the status of Dr. Spencer Reid. Matthew Gray Gubler’s character remains a critical piece of the BAU puzzle, and the news of his potential single-episode return has sent ripples of excitement through the fandom. While his character's absence is explained as being on a classified mission, the real-world reason is often attributed to Gubler's desire to pursue other creative endeavors, including directing and writing.

The continued success of *Criminal Minds: Evolution* ensures that the door remains open for almost any former lead actor. The show’s structure allows for guest appearances from actors like Shemar Moore, who has already returned in the past. As the BAU continues to profile UnSubs in its new format, the possibility of seeing familiar faces—from Derek Morgan to a surprise appearance by Aaron Hotchner—remains one of the most compelling reasons to tune in for the new seasons.

With an 18th and 19th season of the franchise ordered, the BAU is set to continue its work for the foreseeable future, guaranteeing more updates, more shocking cases, and more opportunities for the beloved actors to return to the roles that made them famous.