Zach Gilford, who portrayed the complex serial killer Elias Voit in Criminal Minds: Evolution, has confirmed his departure from the series ahead of its upcoming season. In an exclusive interview, Gilford shared his thoughts on Voit's final appearance and his own future with the franchise.
Voit, a central antagonist known for his manipulative intellect and use of venomous arachnids in his crimes, made a final appearance in the season 19 finale, haunting David Rossi (Joe Mantegna). Gilford described the exit as a fitting conclusion for the character, noting that Voit's presence will continue to resonate with the Behavioral Analysis Unit even in his absence.
"Who knows if I ever do come back, but I think Voit is kind of always going to be that white whale not just for Rossi, but the BAU. Even though he's gone, he's still going to be lingering in there somewhere," Gilford stated. He further commented on the character's final scene, where Voit appeared as an apparition to Rossi, saying, "I think it's the right way to do it. Because however their relationship has evolved, the last voice that Rossi hears is [Voit] giving him shit. You're like, ‘Oh, you think you're going to get rid of me that easily? That's not happening.'"
Despite his exit as Voit, Gilford expressed a strong interest in returning to the Criminal Minds universe in a different capacity. He has even pitched an idea for a spin-off series centered on his character, envisioning it as a "Suicide Squad thing" where Voit's superior intellect could be utilized. "There are no real plans for me to come back, but I'll jump at it in a heartbeat, as long as it felt not too contrived," he said.
Gilford, who has previously directed two episodes of Criminal Minds, also voiced his enthusiasm for returning to the show to direct more. "Oh my God, I'd love to go back and direct. I'd just love to be on that set. Directing was so fun. I love our crew. Everyone works so hard and they're just excited to be there," he shared, highlighting his enjoyment of the directing process and the collaborative atmosphere on set.
Reflecting on his diverse roles, including Matt Saracen in Friday Night Lights and Riley Flynn in Midnight Mass, Gilford sees Voit as another complex character that aligns with his preference for multifaceted roles. "I just like playing people who are interesting and complex," he explained. "I don't like playing one-dimensional characters. And that's why I think Voit was so cool, because as much as he's the most prolific serial killer ever, he has a heart and he's struggling with it."
Gilford expressed gratitude for having another character resonate with audiences, likening it to the impact of his role in Friday Night Lights. "It's just cool and it just makes you feel like, ‘Okay, I did good.'"
Criminal Minds: Evolution is available for streaming on Paramount+.