Zach Gilford Dives Deep into Elias Voit: Elevating the Twisted World of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ on Paramount+

Zach Gilford, widely recognized for his role in the beloved series Friday Night Lights, is making a dramatic shift towards the darker side of human nature in his latest project. He steps into the shoes of Elias Voit, the primary antagonist, or “UnSub,” in the highly anticipated revival of the iconic crime procedural, Criminal Minds: Evolution. Voit is portrayed as a character consumed by a morbid obsession with death, a fascination that led him to establish a sinister network of serial killers during the isolation of the global pandemic. This unprecedented threat sets the stage for the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) to confront their most formidable challenge yet. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, Zach Gilford shared insights into his complex role and how this revival series is poised to elevate the beloved original show.

One of the most significant departures from the original series, as Gilford highlights, is the unique narrative approach taken with Elias Voit. “We go home with the UnSub. They’ve said to me before, they’re like, we’ve never gone home with them,” Zach explained, emphasizing a crucial distinction. This innovative storytelling choice allows the audience to delve deeper into the psyche of the antagonist, moving beyond the typical procedural format where the UnSub is primarily a target to be identified and apprehended. Gilford further elaborated on the inherent humanity, no matter how twisted, within these characters: “I’ve said this a few times, but these monsters are humans, and I don’t mean like let’s be sensitive to them. But they need to live a life. They can’t just be killing, murdering people all day, every day.” This perspective opens up a fascinating exploration into the dual lives these individuals lead.

The series aims to uncover the hidden facets of its villains, exploring questions like: “Who are they when they’re not doing their evil stuff? And how do they navigate between being a person in the world and being this monster in the shadows?” This approach promises to add unprecedented psychological depth to Criminal Minds: Evolution. Instead of simply presenting a profile to solve, viewers will witness the everyday lives, jobs, and familial connections – or lack thereof – that these serial killers maintain. This nuanced portrayal of Elias Voit is set to make him one of the most compelling and terrifying UnSubs in the show’s history, forcing audiences to confront the unsettling reality of how evil can exist alongside the mundane.

For Zach Gilford, the decision to join the cast of the Criminal Mindsrevival was an unequivocal “yes.” The opportunity to contribute to such a revered and iconic television franchise was not one to be missed. “I mean, when Criminal Minds asks you to be involved in their show, you say yes. It’s such an amazing, iconic show,” he affirmed. Gilford also admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the sheer scale and dedication of the show’s fanbase. The fervent support for Criminal Minds, which ran for 15 seasons before its initial conclusion, is a testament to its enduring impact and the strong connection viewers have forged with the BAU team. Being a part of its return, especially in a pivotal role like Elias Voit, carries a significant weight of expectation, a challenge Gilford wholeheartedly embraces.

The original run of Criminal Minds concluded in February 2020, just as the world began to grapple with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Criminal Minds: Evolution picks up the narrative threads in a post-pandemic world, a setting that subtly influences the series’ tone and stakes. Furthermore, the show has transitioned from its long-time home on CBS to the streaming platform Paramount+. This move is not merely a change of venue but a strategic shift that allows the creative team greater freedom in storytelling, potentially enabling a darker, more mature, and serialized narrative arc. Gilford highlighted this new creative liberty: “We love this world. But now we get to do it a little different. We get to elevate it a bit and to be involved in that is so cool.” The serialized nature of pursuing one master UnSub throughout an entire season represents a significant “elevation” from the original’s largely episodic format, intensifying the suspense and allowing for deeper character development for both the BAU and Elias Voit. Playing the central UnSub for the whole season, Gilford stated, “I mean, it sounds cheesy to say it’s an honor, but it really is.”

Elias Voit undoubtedly marks one of Zach Gilford’s darkest and most challenging roles to date. When discussing his preparation for such a complex character, Gilford revealed a refreshingly grounded and collaborative method. “My preparation is — not because I’m lazy it’s just because it’s my method — I read the script,” he candidly shared with HollywoodLife. He elaborated on the simplicity and effectiveness of this approach: “And I don’t mean that sarcastically, I read the script when I first get it. There’s always changes. I read it again like the night before we shoot it. I can memorize lines really fast, and then you find so much when you actually get on set. You’re actually working with the director and the other actors.” This reliance on the immediate context of the scene and interaction with fellow cast and crew members underscores his belief in emergent performance over rigid pre-planning. It allows for an organic development of the character that feels responsive and authentic, adapting to the nuances brought by everyone involved in the production.

Gilford further emphasized the importance of this collaborative spirit in his craft. “If you’ve made all your decisions before you got there, you’re not actually a very considerate actor because then you’re just navigating the scene and not letting anyone else contribute,” he asserted. This philosophy highlights a deep respect for the collective effort involved in creating a television series. For Gilford, the true magic happens when everyone’s contributions are valued and integrated. “What I love about this business is it’s all about collaboration. Everyone’s thumbprint is on it,” he explained. He expressed immense gratitude for the writers of Criminal Minds: Evolution, who have meticulously crafted these complex characters and their arcs. Their openness to discussion and refinement is something Gilford particularly appreciates. “They’re so collaborative that anytime I bump on something, they’ll stop and be like, ‘Let’s talk it through. Let’s figure it out. Let’s make it better.’ And I feel like we always get there. It’s just been it’s so great to work with.” This synergy between actor and writer is crucial in bringing a character as multifaceted and menacing as Elias Voit to life, ensuring his motivations and actions resonate with chilling authenticity.

The return of Criminal Minds: Evolution is made even more special by the reunion of beloved original cast members, bringing a sense of familiarity and excitement to long-time fans. The series will feature the highly anticipated returns of Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, A.J. Cook as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss. This ensemble cast, deeply familiar with the nuances of their characters and the show’s dark subject matter, is perfectly poised to tackle the unprecedented threat posed by Elias Voit and his network of serial killers. The chemistry and long-standing professional relationships among these actors are sure to add significant emotional depth to the BAU’s intense pursuit.

The 10-episode season of Criminal Minds: Evolution is set to premiere with a special two-episode event on Thanksgiving Day, exclusively on Paramount+. Following the exciting premiere, new episodes will be released weekly every Thursday, building suspense and drawing viewers deeper into the season-long hunt for Voit. A midseason finale is scheduled for December 15, promising a dramatic pause before the series makes its triumphant return on January 12 with a fresh batch of episodes. Fans eagerly awaiting the return of the BAU and the chilling new storyline can mark their calendars for a season that promises to be both familiar and revolutionary, redefining the boundaries of criminal profiling and psychological thriller television.