'Criminal Minds' Cast Then and Now: See What the B.A.U. Has Been Up To

Airing from 2005 to 2020 for a total of 15 seasons, fans of Criminal Minds became immersed in the lives of the characters that made up the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit for a decade and a half. The series followed a tight knit team of profilers who worked together to solve crimes by analyzing the behavior of their unsubs (unknown subject). Loved for their individual quirks and family dynamic, fans remained devoted to the cast of Criminal Minds year after year, season after season, even when faces came and went.

In 2022, an additional season of the show premiered on Paramount+ and it was renewed for another to come. Here, take a look at the cast of Criminal Minds who brought this series to life.

The cast of Criminal Minds then and now

Kristen Vangsness as Penelope Garcia

Kristen Vangsness plays Penelope Garcia, the quirky and eccentric computer genius who was often the backbone of the operation from episode to episode. She was also loved for her impeccable comedic timing and the flirtatious relationship she had with her co-worker Derek Morgan, played by Shemar Moore, who often put her on the receiving end of his classic term of endearment, "baby girl."

Vangsness appeared in both Criminal Minds spin-off series, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviors and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Additionally, she joined the cast of the reboot seasons of Criminal Minds on Paramount+. Some of her recent work outside of Criminal Minds includes Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story (2023) on Lifetime (See Lifetime’s Christmas Movie Lineup 2023 — 13 Festive Films That Bring on the Joy!).

Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid

Perhaps Matthew Gray Gubler's most celebrated role, his work as genius profiler Dr. Spencer Reid is still loved to this day. The brainiac of the group, Reid may not have excelled socially, but was a skilled profiler and loved by both his team and fans alike.

Since Criminal Minds, Gubler has acted in Beginner's Luck (2020), King Knight (2021) and the series Dollface. Some of his other notable works during his work on the show include movies such as 68 Kill (2017), Hot Air (2016), Life After Beth (2014) and 500 Days of Summer (2009).

A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau

A.J. Cook plays Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on the series and is also one of the cast members to reprise her role in the Paramount+ reboot. Some of her roles outside of Criminal Minds have been on shows and movies like 9-1-1 in 2022, Black Fork (2019), Wer (2013), Least Among Saints (2012) and Bringing Ashley Home (2011).

Joe Mantegna as David Rossi

Joe Mantegna took on the father figure role within the BAU as Agent Rossi and has even reprised his role as the beloved crime fighter in the Paramount+ reboot. Prior to Criminal Minds, he had an extremely successful career, acting in films like The Godfather Part III (1990), Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), Celebrity (1998) and Baby's Day Out (1994). After his initial stint on Criminal Minds, he made appearances on series such as As We See It and Barry.

Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner

Thomas Gibson played the serious and stoic Aaron Hotchner until season 12 of the show and has since acted sparingly in Axis (2017) and Shadow Wolves (2019). Before Criminal Minds, he was known for his work on Chicago Hope and Dharma & Greg.

Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan

Hunky and smooth-talking Derek Morgan was played by none other than equally hunky and smooth-talking Shemar Moore! Another beloved original member of the BAU, Moore was apart of the cast for 11 seasons, with appearances made in the 12th and 13th season. Since his time on the show, he has done work on The Young and the Restless, S.W.A.T, and has even done some voice acting.

Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss

Paget Brewster plays Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds and is another beloved character to move on to the Paramount+ reboot. Outside of the series, Brewster has had an accomplished career both on the screen and as a voice actor.

Some of her voice acting roles have been on American Dad!, Family Guy, DuckTales, Bojack Horseman and more. As far as screen acting roles outside of Criminal Minds, you can see her in shows like How I Met Your Father, Community and Another Period.

Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis

Some may remember her as a host of The Talk, but we loved Aisha Tyler in her role as Dr. Tara Lewis on Criminal Minds. Joining the Paramount+ reboot, Lewis in recent years has also done voice work on Archer and has acted on the screen in The Last Thing He Told Me, The Boys and Fear the Walking Dead. Her early work included roles on shows like Ghost Whisperer and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez

Adam Rodriguez was one piece of the hunky puzzle that was the Criminal Minds cast. Playing Luke Alvez, he joined the cast in season 12 and remained until the end, even appearing in the reboot. Outside of the series, he is known for Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015), CSI: Miami and Roswell.

Daniel Henney as Matt Simmons

Daniel Henney played Matt Simmons in Criminal Minds from 2015 to the show's end in 2020. After the series concluded, he has gone on to act in Missing (2023) and Amazon Prime's The Wheel of Time. Some of his other notable roles include Big Hero 6 (2014), Big Hero 6: The Series, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009).

Mandy Patinkin as Jason Gideon

Mandy Patinkin filled the father-figure role in the first two seasons of Criminal Minds before departing. Patinkin has had great success both on the screen and the stage, known for movies such as The Princess Bride (1987), Yentl (1983), Ragtime (1981), Dick Tracy (1990) and more. His more recent roles have been in Homeland and The Good Fight.

Lola Glaudini as Elle Greenaway

Sopranos actress Lola Glaudini played the part of Elle Greenaway for the first season of Criminal Minds before making appearances in shows like The Expanse, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Ray Donovan.

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