Criminal Minds: Zach Gilford's Second Chance

Zach Gilford, known for his role on Friday Night Lights, now portrays serial killer Elias Voit in the revival of Criminal Minds, titled Criminal Minds: Evolution. This casting marks a full-circle moment for Gilford, who originally auditioned for the role of Dr. Spencer Reid in the Criminal Minds pilot 17 years prior, in 2005. Matthew Gray Gubler ultimately secured the part and became a fan favorite for all 15 seasons of the original series.

Gilford expressed that he is content with how things unfolded, believing Gubler's unique portrayal of Reid was integral to the character's success. He shared that he is not as "quirky and fun" as Gubler, which made his eventual casting as Elias Voit a more fitting turn of events. Voit, a notorious serial killer, became a series regular on Criminal Minds: Evolution, developing a complex relationship with the BAU team.

Gubler declined to return for the revival, which premiered in 2022 on Paramount+. Gilford's character, Elias Voit, was a central figure for four seasons, concluding his storyline in the July season finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Although Gubler made a brief cameo in a recent season, he and Gilford did not share a scene, leaving Gilford hopeful for a future interaction.

While Gilford confirmed he will not appear in the upcoming season 20, he remains open to returning, emphasizing his fondness for the character and the entire cast and crew. The camaraderie on set and the opportunity to work with his colleagues are strong motivators for his potential return.