Criminal Minds: Evolution Showrunner Discusses Failed Attempt to Cast Hudson Williams in Season 20

The Criminal Minds: Evolution team explored the possibility of bringing Hudson Williams into the fold for the show's upcoming 20th season, though the plan ultimately fell through.

Showrunner Erica Messer confirmed in a recent interview with Us Weekly that the production attempted to secure Williams following a guest appearance by his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie.

"Trust me, we looked [into it]," Messer explained. "We were like, 'Is he available?'"

The timing simply didn't align. Williams is set to film the second season of Heated Rivalry in August, which coincides with when the Criminal Minds production would need him on set. "He's shooting the second season of Heated Rivalry in August and that's when we would need them," Messer noted. "We tried."

The network announced in March that Criminal Minds: Evolution had secured a renewal for season 20.

Storrie's involvement with the series has expanded since initial discussions. What began as a single-episode guest spot evolved into a multi-episode arc. Messer teased that Storrie's character carries significant weight in the season's narrative.

"Connor gets introduced in episode 4," she revealed. "His story does have something to do with the big bad of the season but — without wanting to give much away — that's all I'll say."

Season 19 of Criminal Minds: Evolution premiered on May 28, with the first two episodes dropping immediately. Additional installments roll out weekly, with Storrie's debut slated for June 11.