Criminal Minds Producer Defends the Premiere’s Heartbreaking Death

Season 19 of Criminal Minds began on an emotional note with the death of a beloved character in the premiere, though the loss was not of a human team member. In the Thursday, May 28 return of Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+, Luke Alvez, played by Adam Rodriguez, was shown grieving a personal loss while still helping the BAU solve a case. The two-episode premiere ultimately revealed at the end that his dog, Roxy, had been euthanized, a twist that the show’s creative team expected would be especially painful for viewers.

Showrunner Erica Messer said the decision was meant to reflect the kind of grief many people recognize in real life. She noted that pets are often considered family members, and that longtime fans who remember Luke’s early appearances would also remember Roxy. According to Messer, the storyline was difficult to write and emotionally heavy for everyone involved, including Rodriguez. She said the cast and crew were deeply affected during the table read, filming, and screening of the episode, and she believed audiences would respond with the same level of emotion.

Criminal Minds, which first premiered in 2005, follows FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit as they investigate criminal cases by analyzing behavior and tracking unknown suspects. Over the years, the series has included several major character departures and deaths, including a major shock in Season 18 when Josh Stewart exited after portraying Will since 2007.

Rodriguez previously spoke about that storyline, saying it was not the kind of death fans want to see, but it gave A.J. Cook, who plays JJ, a chance to show more of her range as an actress. He said the plot allowed JJ to reveal a more vulnerable side, balancing her strength as a wife and mother with deeper emotional pain. Rodriguez also acknowledged that some viewers would be upset by the decision, but said the show has continued to use such developments to create meaningful drama.

The actor added that the production remains a positive place to work, describing the series as a dream job and praising the environment created by Messer and the team. He said no one enjoys the idea of being written off the show, but that the creative process is handled with care and advance notice when major changes are planned. Rodriguez also suggested that the series should continue finding new stories and new characters to raise the stakes without relying only on shock value.

Looking ahead, Messer described the new season as centered on “new beginnings” after a year has passed in the story world. She said the BAU team will face fresh challenges, but there is also a sense of hope and the possibility of better things ahead. New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution continue to air on Thursdays on Paramount+.