In light of the renewal of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, the BAU’s latest member confirms that they will also return even before season 2 ends. After some rough patches during its development, reviving the hit CBS police procedural has proven to be worth it for Paramount+ revival. Proof of its success is the show’s early season 3 renewal, even before Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 premiered. The renewal doesn’t spoil anything about BAU’s current case, but a cast member’s social media activity may have prematurely revealed their fate beyond the show’s sophomore year.
Taking it to his official Instagram account, Ryan-James Hatanaka effectively confirms that he will return as Tyler Green in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.
Green’s Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3’s return is spoiled by Hatanaka’s comment, revealing that aside from the core cast of the show, he, too, will be coming back for the show’s junior year. He doesn’t reveal, however, anything about his character’s fate in season 2.
What Green’s Return For Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3
The BAU Can Use Green’s Expertise
After his controversial debut, Hatanaka returns as Green in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 in an expanded role. Initially, Green was indirectly involved in the Sicarius case, which led to Elias Voit’s arrest in the season 1 finale. As seen in the season 2 premiere, Green is brought back by the profilers as they delve deep into the mystery of Gold Star, who may be a government-trained killer. Currently, he’s only consulting, but Hatanaka’s confirmed Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 comeback suggests that his stint with the FBI could become a permanent job.
Garcia ended the affair and is actively trying to move on, but having Green around is making this more difficult.
Considering Green’s expertise, there’s nothing wrong with recruiting him full-time as part of Emily Prentiss’ squad. That said, his complicated relationship with Penelope Garcia could get in the way. The pair had a tumultuous relationship, made much more complex when they started getting intimate in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1. Garcia ended the affair and is actively trying to move on, but having Green around is making this more difficult. Assuming that he officially joins the BAU, then the chances of them getting back together increase. Conversely, it decreases the likelihood that Garcia finally gives Luke Alvez a shot.
Beyond his personal relationships in the show, Green joining the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast diminishes the urgency to bring back Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid. The BAU has been operating understaffed for a while, and the hope is that the missing profilers come back and reclaim their old jobs. However, with the FBI potentially hiring replacements, it won’t be long until BAU moves on from their old members.