Until long after season 2, Mandy Patinkin served as FBI Special Agent Jason Gideon on Criminal Minds. However, the renowned actor had reasons for leaving the crime thriller. Only a few of the original stars of the procedural series, which initially aired from 2005 to 2020, were still present by the time it reached its season 15 conclusion. The departure of Gideon from Criminal Minds had a noticeable effect on the series early on, even though several main cast members and characters, like as Thomas Gibson’s Aaron Hotchner and Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan, would leave the programme too soon.
Mandy Patinkin, who is well recognised for his legendary performance as Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, was the series’ star when Criminal Minds first aired. Although Patinkin wasn’t the first prominent cast member to quit Criminal Minds—Lola Glaudini left the show as Ellie Greenaway at the start of season 2—his sudden departure from the show made it clear very early on that the BAU Agents were transient. Jason Gideon officially left Criminal Minds’ BAU in season 3, episode 2, following the conclusion of a noteworthy plotline involving serial killer Frank Breitkopf (Keith Carradine) in season 2.
In 2012, about five years after he left Criminal Minds, Patinkin told New York Magazine that signing on with the crime drama was the “biggest public mistake” he had ever made. Although the official reason given for the Gideon Criminal Minds departure was “creative differences,” later interviews with the actor suggested he had a profound aversion to the show’s “disturbing content.” The Jason Gideon actor explained that he didn’t anticipate Criminal Minds would feature the murders and rapes of women “every week, year after year,” and the relentless brutality had an enormous toll on his life, leading to Patinkin’s abrupt departure from the show just before season 3.
Mandy Patinkin Left The Regular Criminal Minds Cast For His Mental Health
Creators of Criminal Minds were taken aback by Patinkin’s abrupt departure, and the actor worried that it would mean he would never again work in television. Only a few years later, the actor who starred in The Princess Bride joined Claire Danes in Homeland, which he thought was “the antidote” to Showtime’s Criminal Minds since it questioned why violence was ever necessary in the first place. When departing the Criminal Minds cast, the actor later admitted to the New York Times magazine that he “acted abominably,” which is consistent with the claims that the Gideon character left the show after season 2. Despite admitting to writing letters of apologies to the other cast members of Criminal Minds, Patinkin insisted that his resignation was vital for his wellbeing.
Early in season three, Mandy Patinkin’s final Criminal Minds episode aired, however Jason Gideon would continue to guest star on the show. Criminal Minds season 10’s BAU revelation that Gideon was killed by the unsub he first targeted in 1978 has put an end to any chance of Patinkin making a cameo. The episode includes flashbacks to a young David Rossi, who played Patinkin’s character’s replacement in Criminal Minds season 3, and a young Gideon, played by Ben Savage. The series finale episode featured flashbacks to Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon in sequences from the first few seasons, along with various other cast members including Thomas Gibson who left Criminal Minds early.
Why Gideon Probably Won’t Be Back For The Criminal Minds Reboot
It was revealed that Criminal Minds season 16 would bring the programme back to television. Some cast members, such as the Criminal Minds character Gideon, have been confirmed to return, while others have not. Gideon is assassinated off-screen by murderer Donnie Mallick in Criminal Minds season 10, episode 13, “Nelson’s Sparrow.” He probably won’t come back for the upcoming season as a result. The character had several flashback appearances throughout the entire series. However, because Gideon was his mentor, things were frequently seen via Spencer Reid’s perspective. Much to the dismay of viewers, it has been announced that Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds season 16 won’t be returning. Reid won’t be returning, thus it’s unlikely that Jason Gideon will appear in a flashback as well. Though the actor Mandy Patinkin hasn’t confirmed or denied that he’ll appear in the Criminal Minds reboot, it’s advisable to adopt a “never say never” approach. But that seems unlikely considering his dislike of the show’s themes.
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