Evolution Star Talks About How Filming Will’s Funeral Episode Was Extra Meaningful For A Heartbreaking Reason

Criminal Minds: Evolution star AJ Cook reveals why filming Will’s funeral was so meaningful, and the reason is more than heartbreaking. Cook’s character (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau) is a Supervisory Special Agent who used to be a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, also known as the BAU, working with police and media officials until season 6, accepting an assignment with the Pentagon. However, for season 7, she became the acting unit chief of the BAU.

During an interview with ScreenRant’s Alisha Grauso, Cook opened up about working with Linda Lavin (Connie LaMontagne) and how special it was to work with her before she passed away in December 2024. Cook was honored to work with Lavin, especially since she was her on-screen daughter-in-law. While she was sad they only got to work on one episode together, Cook is grateful for the time they had.

Screen Rant: The scene between JJ and Connie was very intense. What was that like to film that scene and will that emotional reconcilation be a bigger storylline – in some way – moving forward?

AJ Cook: Well, that’s what we were hoping. Linda Lavin was just so beautiful and one of the most giving actresses ever, and it was such an honor to get to work with her. But she passed. She passed away. That was her last. The fact that I got to be slapped by Linda Lavin before she passed away was every actress’s dream.

She and I just had a really great dynamic together. There are just some actors where you’re just sort of on the same wavelength in how you approach a scene, and it really works. She and I together, we just loved working together. She made it so easy, so effortless.

So I was really looking forward to maybe getting her back and seeing that, but, sadly, such is life – and that’s sort of what we’re dealing with [in the episode]. You don’t get to choose when someone dies. In the blink of an eye, it can just be done, and you’re just left there with the pieces to put back together. So this episode is so special and impactful for us on so many levels.

Obviously, there’s Josh [Stewart] – I love him and will miss working with him terribly. But the fact that we lost Linda Lavin, she’s gone as well. We did a memorial to her at the end of the episode. It’s just one of those very special, sort of standalone Criminal Minds episodes for us.

What Linda Lavin’s Death Means For Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3

Even though Lavin only appeared as Connie in season 3, episode 3 of the Criminal Minds reboot, her death will have a lasting effect on the cast. For Cook, she enjoyed her time working with Lavin despite it being short-lived, but had every intention of working with her again. Since JJ’s late husband, Will LaMontagne Jr. (Josh Stewart), passed away from an aneurysm that was linked to a rare thyroid complication in episode 2, it would’ve made sense for Connie to make a return. JJ has two sons with Will, so Connie visiting JJ could’ve been a storyline for Lavin.

In Criminal Minds: Evolution, JJ is basically alone. With her husband gone and Lavin’s passing, JJ only has her two sons to lean on. However, Will’s death could open the door for her and Spencer Reid’s relationship to finally blossom. Even though Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) is not a cast member in the reboot and only made a cameo, this could open the door for a possible relationship.

Our Take On Will’s Funeral On Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3

Will’s funeral was quite the tear-jerker for Criminal Minds: Evolution fans. Not only did they lose a huge character in the show suddenly, but the return of Reid was also emotional, as he was a fan favorite during the show’s original run. Not only was Reid a fan favorite, but he had a will-they-won’t-they relationship with JJ. Because of Will’s funeral, this could mean a reunion between Reid and JJ in the future.

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Criminal Minds

8/10

Release Date

September 22, 2005

Showrunner

Erica Messer

Directors

Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, John Gallagher, Douglas Aarniokoski, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Teng, Nelson McCormick, Alec Smight, Charles S. Carroll, Rob Spera, Charles Haid, Diana Valentine, Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKiernan, Bethany Rooney, Karen Gaviola, Sharat Raju, Thomas Gibson, Aisha Tyler, Anna Foerster, Gloria Muzio, John Terlesky

Writers

Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser, Oanh Ly, Stephanie Sengupta, Aaron Zelman, Kirsten Vangsness, Erica Meredith, Andi Bushell, Holly Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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  Kirsten Vangsness

  Penelope Garcia

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  Matthew Gray Gubler

  Dr. Spencer Reid