Zach Gilford, known for his role as Elias Voit in the *Criminal Minds: Evolution* series, has confirmed that he will not be appearing in the much-anticipated season 20 of the show. Gilford, who has portrayed the character since 2022, shared insights about his character’s fate and his own involvement in the series during an exclusive interview.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/zach-gilford-criminal-minds-1-072226-43a64376548c4f9296d336fc3accebfb.jpg)
In a light-hearted tone, the 44-year-old actor stated, “Well, I don’t come back for season 20,” while revealing his current knowledge about the ongoing filming of the new season. Despite having received messages from crew members expressing their fondness for him, Gilford noted that none had reached out with an invitation to return to the set.
Elias Voit, portrayed by Gilford, is a complex character who captured audiences with his duality as both a serial killer and an eventual ally to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Voit’s tumultuous journey has kept fans engaged since his introduction in season 16, where he was depicted carrying out gruesome murders while simultaneously forging a connection with a group of like-minded individuals.
The character’s story took a dark turn at the end of season 17 when Voit was brutally attacked while incarcerated. Season 18 saw him awakening in hospital with no memories of his past, prompting a fundamental change in his character. Voit’s transformation from a killer to a willing collaborator with the BAU allowed him to regain some semblance of his former life, but it left fans questioning how long this reformation would last.
During season 19, Voit was instrumental in apprehending another serial killer, dubbed “The Fan,” whose obsession with Voit’s past crimes brought their paths to intersect. However, with the demise of James Crowley, played by Justin Kirk, the storyline of Voit’s cooperation with the FBI culminated, leading to his return to maximum security prison.
Gilford reflects on the nature of *Criminal Minds,* remarking on the show’s tendency to keep storylines and characters open-ended. He mentioned that while there are no current plans for his return, the unpredictable nature of the series could mean that Elias Voit might make a comeback, stating, “If they wanted me, I would be back in a heartbeat. I think, mostly, because there are so many ways where it wouldn’t be contrived to have him pop back up.”
The dynamic of Voit’s character and his eventual exit from the storyline has left fans speculating about his possible return. Gilford shared a humorous view, noting that the show’s creators “didn’t kill” his character, which leaves the door open for future appearances. “Who knows?” he pondered, suggesting that the producers might see a reason to revive Voit in a future plot twist.
As *Criminal Minds: Evolution* continues to stream on Paramount+, the future of Elias Voit remains uncertain. While audiences may have seen the last of him for now, Gilford’s willingness to reprise his role should not be overlooked by fans of the series.
With its history of reintroducing characters, the *Criminal Minds* franchise has maintained a reputation for surprises, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Despite the conclusion of season 19 and his absence in the next chapter, fans of Voit can take comfort in the actor’s enthusiasm for the character’s potential return.
As the show progresses, it will be interesting to see how the BAU moves forward without the help of Voit, and whether his narrative thread will be woven back into the fabric of the series in the future.