After Criminal Minds started its new season with a surprising loss, the runner Erica Messer fixed if there would be too many deaths on screen.
During a special interview with Us WeeklyMesser speculated about possible cameos from the original Criminal Minds members, saying, “I always feel that there has to be an important reason for having those cameos [like a funeral] and right now we have nothing to depend on this season. There are no more funerals.”
Messer's update comes after the Thursday, May 28, return of the hit Paramount+ series, showing Luke (Adam Rodriguezz) mourning a personal loss while helping the BAU solve a case. It wasn't until the end of the two-episode premiere that viewers learned her dog, Roxy, had to be put down.
“I don't think we can ever be prepared for anything happening to a beloved character — whether they have four legs or not,” Messer explained. “If you don't have a pet, you probably know someone who does.”
Messer knew the revelation would hurt viewers.
“Losing a family member and those who watched the show in the past [when it was on CBS]you really met Roxy when you first met Luke early on,” commenting: “It was frustrating for all of us to tell this story. We all really felt the loss.”
He continued: “I had to warn Adam ahead of time that this is a story where we're sending it your way and it's going to be very difficult. I'd say there was hardly a dry eye when we were reading it and when we were filming it and it was definitely being watched. Everyone was very moved by that. So I think our audience will feel as moved as all of us.”
Criminal Mindswhich premiered in 2005, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its behavioral analysis unit. The crime drama explores different fictional cases and shows how behavioral analysis helps the group find their unknown subjects.
Over the years, the show has faced its fair share of on-screen character deaths. Season 18 shocked viewers when Josh Stewart left after playing the role of Will since 2007.
Looking ahead to the rest of season 19, Messer teased the idea of this season.
“This is the idea of new beginnings. It's been a year in our news world,” commented the Us screenwriter. “So there are new challenges facing them – but there's also a bit of hope in that. There's a chance for better things to come.”
New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution airs Thursdays on Paramount+.
