Summary

• Season 2 of Criminal Minds: Evolution has already lost an original series actor, Josh Stewart, who confirmed that he will not be returning as Will LaMontagne Jr.
• Will's exit means the end of JJ and Will's romance, as their marriage and personal life were tested in season 1.
• The narrative of season 2 may explore JJ's scrapped romance with Spencer Reid, as Will's departure paves the way for it.

A long-time-running character is confirmed not to return in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2. Work on Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 has already started after an extended hiatus due to the dual Hollywood strikes. No release date has been announced by Paramount+, but ahead of its premiere, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 has already lost an original series actor.

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2.

Stewart says that his days playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over. Will has been with AJ Cook's JJ for so many years and shares two sons with her. He was in season 1, but this confirmation means that he won't be in the procedural when it returns for its sophomore year.

What Will LaMontagne Jr.'s Exit Mean for JJ In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2

There was an increased focus on the LaMontaigne clan when they all returned in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2; interestingly, none of the other BAU have had that kind of attention. In the Paramount+ revival, JJ and Will's marriage was tested as they dealt with the difficulties of their jobs and struggles coming out of a global pandemic. Things turned for the worse when Will got a cancer scare, although the series ended with him cleared from the matter.

Due to the nature of the BAU's work, it's quite difficult to maintain a personal life. The original Criminal Minds has tackled this one too many times, with some of the profilers ultimately turned off by the idea — excluding JJ. She's one of the few SSAs who have steadily preserved her family life. However, Stewart not returning in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 effectively ends JJ and Will's romance. It's uncertain how Will will be written out, but his health scare allows the revival to do this quite easily.

It's uncertain if there are any behind-the-scenes reasons for Stewart's exit, or if this is purely dictated by the narrative that Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 will tackle. In-universe, however, JJ losing his husband to sickness paves the way for the procedural to finally explore her scrapped Spencer Reid romance. The story arc was divisive, but it doesn't mean that they won't shy away from it.

Source: Josh Stewart