Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer has clarified that the series does not plan to feature more onscreen deaths or funeral-centered cameos this season, following a heartbreaking reveal in the Paramount+ revival. In an exclusive interview, Messer said any appearance from an original cast member would need to serve a significant story purpose, adding that the show is not currently heading toward another funeral storyline.
The comments came after the Thursday, May 28 return of Criminal Minds: Evolution, which opened its new season with an emotional case involving Luke, played by Adam Rodriguez, as he mourned a personal loss while helping the BAU work through the investigation. By the end of the two-episode premiere, viewers learned that Luke’s dog, Roxy, had been put down, turning what seemed like a routine emotional beat into a devastating goodbye.
Messer explained that the team understood the scene would be painful for fans, especially longtime viewers who knew Roxy from Luke’s earlier appearances on the show’s CBS run. She described the loss as one that would feel like losing a family member and said the story hit hard for everyone involved in production. According to Messer, the writers and cast felt the emotional weight of the storyline during the table read, filming, and screening.
She also said she warned Rodriguez ahead of time that the episode would be particularly difficult for his character. Messer noted that the entire team was moved by the material and expects audiences to react in the same way. The dog’s death was presented as a deeply personal moment for Luke, rather than a broader plot device, and was intended to reflect the emotional reality of losing a beloved companion.
Criminal Minds has long been known for its willingness to deliver shocking character losses. Since the series first premiered in 2005, it has repeatedly used death and grief to raise the emotional stakes for the BAU team and the audience. The current revival continues that tradition, but Messer’s latest comments suggest the show is not planning to lean into more tragedy right away.
Instead, season 19 is being framed around change and renewal. Messer said the new season takes place one year later in the story and is built around the idea of new beginnings. While the characters face new challenges, she said there is also hope in the season’s direction and a sense that better things may be ahead.
The series, which follows FBI behavioral profilers as they track down dangerous criminals, continues to build on the legacy of the original show while adding fresh emotional and narrative layers. New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution air Thursdays on Paramount+.
