Will Zach Gilford Make a Comeback on Criminal Minds Following Voit’s Departure?
Zach Gilford’s departure from Criminal Minds took many by surprise — but is there a chance he could come back?
“[Showrunner] Erica Messer and I had this concept for a spinoff,” Gilford, 44, revealed exclusively to Us. “I would absolutely love to pursue a spinoff. The challenge is that it’s a joint studio project between Disney and Paramount. Convincing them to consider it is quite difficult.”
Gilford expressed interest in revisiting the intricate character of serial killer Elias Voit, who transitioned from committing heinous acts to assisting the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
“It’s about persuading them to make it, as no studio wants to relinquish the rights to another, and there’s a reluctance to co-own it,” he added. “So, sadly, I doubt it will come to fruition, but it’s still a dream. … Maybe we should start an online campaign or whatever it is people do nowadays.”
After portraying Voit for four seasons since 2022, Gilford was not ready to part ways.
“We can hope for [my character Voit’s return], but as of now, I’m not in the process of filming,” he mentioned regarding his potential return for season 20 of Criminal Minds: Evolution. “It was tough to say goodbye. Voit was definitely one of my favorite characters to play, and it felt like a gift.”
He elaborated, “Every season, I had the opportunity to explore a different facet of this character. I wasn’t just repeating the same thing each year.”
For Gilford, Criminal Minds presented an ideal challenge, noting, “To give this character some redemption and end on a somewhat heroic note — so to speak — was wonderful. It’s strange. When you finish a show, quite often, you’re uncertain about returning the following year or if there will be another season at all. In this instance, I knew it was the end.”
Gilford shared with Us that saying farewell to Criminal Minds was difficult.
“It was disappointing, and I admit I’m not the best with emotions,” he reflected. “So I actually left before they officially wrapped — I had a sense it was my last take. I just slipped out without saying goodbye to anyone. Some of them were like, ‘Zach, where are you?’ A few even saw me driving away. I was like, ‘Bye, I’ll catch you later.’”
While the season finale of Criminal Minds on July 23 hinted at Voit’s departure, it left room for a possible return. Meanwhile, Gilford has been keeping busy.
“I’ve been working consistently since I left, but I’ve also enjoyed some downtime with my kids, which is always wonderful. I did a holiday romantic comedy, which was so delightful,” he shared. “Then I worked on an Evil Dead movie, which was completely different.”
Criminal Minds is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.
