Showrunner Erica Messer teases how Jason Gideon’s ex-wife fits into Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2. The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is coming back to continue its work on uncovering the truth about Gold Star. The cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 will largely be the same core cast from its debut year but with a couple of additions, including Clark Gregg as the new FBI chief. Arguably its most exciting introduction, however, is the arrival of Gideon’s ex-wife, who will be involved in the BAU’s new case.
Before Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 premieres on June 6, Messer teases how Gideon’s ex-wife, Jill, played by Felicity Huffman, will fit into the show’s story in a new interview with TV Insider. Beyond her professional expertise, there’s also going to be a personal connection between her and Dave Rossi, which makes her arrival much more intriguing. As a start, Messer confirms that Jill did break Rossi’s heart decades ago. Read the rest of her statement and a tease from Joe Mantegna below:
Messer : I always felt like that character, she was somebody that existed in a version of the pilot that never aired, we never saw her, but certainly talking about his ex-wife—I just thought, oh, that would be really incredible if we had a reason to bring that character in. And we did. And once we got Felicity Huffman, it was like, oh my God. So we made it a three-episode arc and it’s just really compelling. She is so good and definitely has an open-ended out for the season, so it feels like ideally we could bring her back some other time. But she’s incredible.
It is nice for those who have watched the show the whole time, they know who Gideon is and they kind of understand Gideon’s ex-wife is probably similar to Gideon in some ways, so that energy is fun. And then if you’ve never seen it, you’re meeting her through Rossi’s eyes, and Prentiss’ [Paget Brewster] eyes, and the rest of the team who knew her. And that’s just as impressive.
Mantegna : I’ll tell you what Prentiss learns. Prentiss learns that she broke his heart. That’s all I’m going to say.
Will Rossi Get Another Romantic Interest In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2?
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Despite the arrest of Elias Voit in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, his story is far from over. As teased in the finale, he will be integral in the BAU’s attempt to take down the mysterious Gold Star. Bringing in Jill for professional purposes was somewhat expected when it was announced that she was being introduced. It is a great way to lean on the show’s history and incorporate Gideon in the revival. However, his role, despite coming in late in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, may be more impactful on Rossi’s personal arc, which is unexpected.
Jill’s introduction effectively puts Rossi’s love life at the center of the show’s storytelling again, albeit in a slightly different way.
Rossi’s love life has been focused on multiple times throughout Criminal Minds’ history, particularly how he was married multiple times. At the end of the original show, he was re-married to Krystall, but a couple of years after that, when Criminal Minds: Evolution picked up, it was revealed that she died at the height of the pandemic. Jill’s introduction effectively puts Rossi’s love life at the center of the show’s storytelling again, albeit in a slightly different way. It’s curious if the resurfacing of Gideon’s ex-wife could lead to Rossi revisiting their old relationship, resulting in another marriage.
It’s curious if Criminal Minds: Evolution will bring Gideon back via flashbacks while revealing the history between his wife and Rossi in season 2. They have previously done this before by tapping Ben Savage to play the young version of Mandy Patinkin’s character. Perhaps, they can also bring in other actors to play younger versions of Jill and Rossi as well.