Voit's Evolution Exit
Zach Gilford Confirms Elias Voit Will Not Appear in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20
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Key Points
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Gilford told EW that he wanted Crowley to be killed, stating, 'I wanted him to be killed!'
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EW notes that the finale ends with Rossi hearing Voit's taunting presence, describing it as 'the last voice that Rossi hears is Voit giving him shit'.
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IGN reports that one of Voit's final scenes shows him popping up as an apparition to Rossi, continuing Voit's influence beyond his prison send-off.
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IGN also notes Gilford has pitched a Suicide Squad–style spin-off centered on Voit should there be a return.
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Parade's interview with Gilford outlines Voit's four-season arc in detail: Season 1 as a family man, Season 2 as a 'rat in a cage', Season 3 amnesia, and Season 4 reckoning with consequences.
Zach Gilford has confirmed he will not return for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20, ending his four-season run as serial killer Elias Voit on Paramount+. People reports that Gilford has not been called back for the upcoming season, closing the chapter on one of the revival's central characters — at least for now.
Voit's exit comes after a dramatic Season 19 finale. He escaped prison, hunted down a man who kidnapped his daughter, and was recaptured after letting her take the kill shot. The door, however, is not fully shut. Gilford says a return — or even a spin-off — is possible.
Holly Saves Her Father, Voit Goes Back to Prison
In the Season 19 finale, Voit breaks out of prison with one goal: protect his family. His daughter Holly had been abducted by James Crowley, known as The Fan. Voit tracks Crowley down but chooses not to kill him. People reports that Holly ultimately stabs Crowley herself, saving her father. Voit then surrenders and is sent back to prison.
Gilford told Entertainment Weekly he wanted a different outcome for Crowley. 'I wanted him to be killed!' he said. Still, the finale ends on a haunting note. IGN reports that Voit appears as an apparition to BAU veteran Rossi. Entertainment Weekly describes it as 'the last voice that Rossi hears is Voit giving him shit' — a ghostly final taunt that cements Voit's legacy on the show.
Four Seasons, One Very Complicated Serial Killer
Voit joined the show in 2022 as a seemingly normal family man hiding a dark secret. Parade breaks down his arc across all four seasons: Season 1 as the disguised family man, Season 2 as a 'rat in a cage', Season 3 dealing with amnesia, and Season 4 facing the full weight of his choices.
That slow unraveling made Voit one of the revival's most complex villains. He was not just a killer. He was a mastermind who drew attention from a true-crime podcast, putting the BAU in greater danger. His final act — surrendering to protect Holly — showed a conscience that had been building for four years.
Gilford Has Already Pitched a Voit Spin-Off
Gilford is not ready to let Voit go entirely. IGN reports that he has pitched a Suicide Squad–style spin-off built around the character. The concept would lean into Voit's intellect and criminal notoriety, placing him at the center of a team with a dark edge.
The show's writers have kept Voit's fate open-ended, which leaves room for exactly that kind of return. Yahoo notes that Gilford has not ruled out future appearances. Whether that means a guest spot in Season 20, a full spin-off, or nothing at all remains to be seen.
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