Is A.J. Cook leaving 'Criminal Minds'? Fans concern the actor, who has been on the show because the beginning, might be leaving. Here's what we know.

Spoiler alert: This article incorporates spoilers for Criminal Minds: Evolution.
Since 2005, Criminal Minds has been bringing the most sadistic, creepy, and sinister cases ever to a tv drama. While the display will also be haunting, some of the compelling parts of the drama is the robust relationships that the characters have with one any other.
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For years, J.J. Jareau (A.J. Cook) has been an integral a part of the BAU crew. Now that we have entered and left the generation of Criminal Minds: Evolution, the first season of which necessarily serves as Criminal Minds' 16th season, she's some of the simplest solid individuals from the unique series that is still here. But after the mid-season finale, her long term doesn't look too brilliant. So is A.J. Cook leaving Criminal Minds?
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Why did J.J. leave 'Criminal Minds'?
Fans of A.J. Cook and her Criminal Minds character were likely at the edge in their seats throughout the mid-season finale for Criminal Minds: Evolution. When J.J.'s fate used to be up in the air, fans questioned if the actor was once leaving the show.
If J.J. had been to go out the show, it wouldn't be the first time. After Season 5, A.J.'s personality used to be written off, reportedly due to funds constraints, although she every so often made guest appearances for big moments at the display.
"It felt like a breakup with a guy," A.J. stated to TV Guide about studying that she used to be fired. "It happened out of nowhere. And it was an 'It's not you, it's me' sort of thing. You think, 'What did I do?' It's been a roller coaster ride, but I just had to put one foot forward and keep moving."
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Fans were disenchanted at CBS for slicing the actor and there was an outpouring of support for A.J. Because of this fan consideration, A.J. was ultimately brought back on the show as a typical in Season 7.
"[The fans'] outpouring of support really blew me away," she mentioned to TV Guide. "That's definitely the silver lining to being let go. The fans really let me know how they felt, and I guess they really let CBS know too."
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Does J.J. die in 'Criminal Minds: Evolution'?
Although Season 15 was the last for Criminal Minds, fans are relieved that lots of our favorite characters are still here in Paramount Plus's Criminal Minds: Evolution. With J.J. main the way sans Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney), it's actually her series to go away. A.J. considered leaving the franchise in conjunction with her co-stars, but in the end made up our minds to stay it out.
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The mid-season finale comes most effective 5 episodes into the new(ish) collection, so it will were a significant shock if A.J.'s persona used to be killed off so soon. In the episode, we learn that J.J.'s husband Will's most cancers diagnosis used to be in reality just an infected thyroid. But the enjoy encourages them to vow every different that they'll at all times let each and every different know when they have got issues. (Foreshadowing!)
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During a BAU investigation, J.J. and Luke Alvez to find themselves at risk once they enter a transport container with the perpetrator's sufferers. J.J. tries to name Will, however it is going instantly to voicemail. And when she enters, it is obviously a lure. As they are trying to get out, there may be an explosion and their body cams go darkish. Many consider one or each could have met their loss of life.
Fortunately, it seems that each Luke and J.J. survive the explosion (whew).
Clues from A.J. additionally prove that J.J. most probably isn't useless, nor is she leaving any time soon. The biggest clue is in probably the most episodes J.J. directed. That, and the fact that she's set to look in Season 17 of Criminal Minds.
"There’s a pretty strong J.J. storyline in the episode that I directed," A.J. defined. "I hadn’t had to act and direct, at the same time, that much before, so that was a bit of a challenge. But you surround yourself with really good people around the monitor, and you’re like, 'Did that work? I don’t know. I can’t watch it.' It takes a village."
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Unless the approaching season comprises some form of flashback episode, which we doubt, then it kind of feels like J.J. doesn't die in Criminal Minds simply but.
Criminal Minds: Evolution is now to be had to flow on Paramount Plus.
Stay tuned for updates at the Season 17 release date.
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