Criminal Minds Officially Says Goodbye To An OG Character After 19 Years

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After 19 seasons, Criminal Minds is losing a key character from the very beginning. The show returned in 2022 with a continuation set two years after the original finale, and it’s made several changes to feel fresh. Some of these changes, like allowing more mature content, have been positive. However, Criminal Minds: Evolution has also made some big changes that fans haven’t liked, particularly when those changes contradicted how the original series ended.

When Criminal Minds was revived, Jennifer Jareau, played by A.J. Cook, was one of the few characters still with the show from the beginning. She was joined by Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) and later by team members like Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler), and Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez). The only person who wasn’t part of the BAU team but carried over from the original cast was JJ’s husband, Will (Josh Stewart). Despite not being directly involved in the team’s cases, Will tragically died at the beginning of season 18 of Criminal Minds.

Even though the character Will unexpectedly left the show, his story wasn’t quite finished. For most of season 18, JJ dealt with the grief of losing her husband, remembering their life together and trying to be strong for their children. Will was frequently talked about and remained an important presence, especially whenever JJ appeared on screen. However, the new season of Criminal Minds seems to be starting a fresh chapter for JJ, suggesting Will will now be a figure from the past.

Criminal Minds Season 19 Sets Up A New Direction For JJ’s Grief

Saying Goodbye To Their Home Is Saying Goodbye To Will All Over Again

Although Will was a significant part of JJ’s story, it didn’t quite feel like he was gone. However, the first episode of Criminal Minds season 19 changed that. JJ made a big life change by moving, with the help of Penelope and her sons, Henry and Michael. They packed up the house she shared with Will, marking a clear end to that chapter of her life and making way for the future. The scene was emotional, featuring snippets of important moments from JJ and Will’s relationship as she said goodbye to their home.

The family’s move had a logical reason behind it, but its biggest effect was on JJ’s story for season 19. Previously, Will held the most significance in her life, even after his death. Now, JJ is primarily focused on her son, Henry, who is about to go to college. Adding to the stress, he wants to attend a school in California, putting him across the country.

JJ is starting a new chapter in her life, moving on from grieving her husband and preparing for when her son goes off on his own. The first episode of season 19 shows this shift, ending with JJ realizing her son still needs her support. While she’ll always miss Will, JJ focusing on Henry signals that she—and the show—are ready to move forward and focus on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Will’s Death In Criminal Minds Season 18 Cut Deep, But It Was Necessary

The Tragedy Completely Changed JJ’s Character In Criminal Minds: Evolution

While Will’s death felt somewhat forced, it ultimately benefited the reboot of Criminal Minds. The show has always known how impactful a major character’s death can be – it can signal a fresh start, motivate significant character growth, or deeply shock viewers. However, Will’s death in season 18 didn’t feel as meaningful or justified as previous ones.

Losing Will Gardner was tough, honestly. At first, it felt like the writers just wanted to shock us. But as the season went on, it became clear that JJ really needed to change, and losing Will was the catalyst. Since then, she’s become a much more assertive profiler – really stepping up in group scenes and offering amazing insights into each case. It sounds weird to say, but JJ’s grief has actually been a good thing for Criminal Minds: Evolution. Now, it looks like they’re planning to shake things up with her character all over again, which I’m kind of excited about.

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2026-05-31 00:18