Why Josh Stewart’s William LaMontagne Jr. Left Criminal Minds: Evolution

While Josh Stewart’s Detective William “Will” LaMontagne Jr. might not be one of the profilers on the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, he has still played a part throughout the years on Criminal Minds. Since Season 2, Will has been a recurring character in the crime series, even appearing in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Will is known as SSA Jennifer Jareau’s husband. The two have two children: Henry and Michael. Throughout Criminal Minds‘ history, Will has aided the BAU team at times, but his main purpose is to serve as an integral part of JJ’s story arc. The charming detective has always been supportive and understanding, contrary to the stereotype of a brusque, hardened detective. This makes his character distinctive. Sadly, the actor has announced his departure from Criminal Minds: Evolution after just one season.

Will Has Been a Crucial Part of Criminal Minds

Josh Stewart’s Detective William “Will” LaMontagne Jr. first appeared in Criminal Minds in the Season 2 episode, “Jones,” while investigating his father’s unsolved case. This led him to call the Behavioral Analysis Unit. While working on the case, Will and JJ developed feelings for each other. The two then started to see each other off-screen.

Stewart gives his character a tortured look, someone who’s haunted by the past and determined to catch the bad guy. His character evolves to be a different type of detective than most fans might be accustomed to. When BAU took another case in New Orleans in Season 3, it brought Will and JJ’s relationship to light. JJ initially rejected the idea of making their relationship known to the rest of the BAU team. Little did she know, everyone had already figured it out. JJ eventually came forth with the truth. Later in the season, JJ became pregnant with their child. Will proposed to JJ and offered to give up his job to be with her, but JJ refused.

For most of their relationship, the two weren’t married. They encountered several bumps in the road, but Will was always supportive. He’s arguably the best significant other on Criminal Minds.

In their relationship, Will is JJ’s rock. JJ’s job as a profiler can be very demanding. Long hours and weekends at work were part of the package deal that came along with their relationship. Will initially complained about this when Henry was sick, but when JJ offered to come home, he told her to stay. Without Will’s support, taking care of her child while working as a profiler would have been much more difficult. Will’s support as a law enforcement officer who understands the importance of JJ’s job and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the family made her work possible.

While Stewart only makes recurring guest appearances in the original Criminal Minds, his performance as the non-typical detective left an impression among fans. Will provides the contrast the show needs by showcasing someone in a supportive role while the profilers work to save the world from monsters. He’s a hero in his own way. As a detective, Will is courageous and fierce. Stewart gives the detective a tender and soft side.

Season 7 finally gives Will the spotlight he deserves. In “There’s No Place Like Home,” Will takes out Oliver, the man responsible for his partner’s death, and attracts the attention of Oliver’s brother, who injures him and takes him hostage. After going through a life-and-death situation with JJ, he proposes again, and this time, JJ accepts. They are married at Rossi’s place and stay married throughout the rest of the show.

Will Is Important to JJ’s Character Arc

In Criminal Minds, Will’s role completes the family life aspect of profilers. However, his role is slightly different in Criminal Minds: Evolution. As a returning cast member, Will’s surprise appearance makes him more important than he was in the original show. The reboot puts his relationship with JJ at the forefront. Will scares everyone with the possibility of cancer in Season 1 of the reboot, but he turns out to be alright. The reboot also sees the two working through common couple problems as they try to find time for themselves.

Through Will, fans get to see a different side of JJ in Criminal Minds: Evolution. With the original show mainly focusing on her time as a profiler, the reboot shows a personal side of her, as a partner and wife, which is very different from what fans know about her in the original show. Will’s departure means that this aspect of JJ will sadly be taken out of her story arc. When JJ addresses Will’s absence in Season 2, she simply mentions that Will is busy with work, which makes sense but also seems striking. Will has been the more available one in their relationship. Saying that he is busy at work may leave fans worried about his relationship with JJ. The way the show writes him out seems a little bit rushed. However, it does makes sense given that Will is someone on the force.

Why Did Josh Stewart Leave Criminal Minds: Evolution?

Stewart announced that he was leaving Criminal Minds: Evolution on X while responding to a fan’s question. “No, sadly, my days of playing Will LaMontagne J. are over. You guys have been the absolute best,” he wrote.

Stewart didn’t reveal the reason why he had left the show, but showrunner Erica Messer was able to provide some context in an interview with EW. According to Messer, they wanted to keep his character on the show, but they couldn’t reach a deal with Stewart, so sadly, they had to let him go. The showrunner also revealed that they had no plans to write him out, though his departure wouldn’t really cause a big issue, story-wise. She said:

“We tried to make a deal and it didn’t happen, and that’s all I really know. The way this season’s worked out, it’s such a fast ball. It’s only two weeks between [the seasons], and then [this] season is like a bullet train. It’s not really an issue this season, but moving forward we have to acknowledge that in some way. We didn’t have any plans to write him out, so if we get future seasons, we’ll have to acknowledge that.”

Will is an integral part of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Though he’s not directly connected to the main investigation, he is part of the team and an even more crucial part of JJ’s character arc. While Will’s departure is slightly questionable, the showrunner explained that it makes sense in the story because the season only covers six weeks of time. The intense nature of the investigation takes up a huge proportion of screen time, which makes the explanation for Will’s absence less needed.

His departure does leave a void to be filled, especially since a huge part of JJ’s arc could be cut from the story. Messer said they are planning to highlight another character: Ryan-James Hatanaka’s Tyler. The showrunner told TV Line that Tyler’s involvement in the BAU will explore relationship tension in the workplace, which is something Criminal Minds hadn’t tried until Season 16/the reboot. All the profilers have kept things strictly professional inside the team. With Tyler coming on board as a consultant and his history with Garcia, things could get spicy very soon.

Will Might Receive a Jason Gideon Treatment

For now, Will’s departure doesn’t need to affect the story, but it’s possible that future seasons will give the good detective his well-deserved farewell. Or, perhaps, he will remain in the Criminal Minds universe in the way that Jason Gideon did throughout the original show. While Stewart has said farewell to the show, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Will’s character is leaving the Criminal Minds universe. It’s possible that Will could exist through JJ’s mention. Their storyline could continue off-screen.

In the original run, Jason Gideon appeared only by mention many times after Mandy Patinkin’s departure. The team worked on Gideon’s old case and even investigated clues left after the character’s death. Placing him as the show’s recurring ghost by mention seems like a way they could stage his departure. On the other hand, it’s completely possible that JJ could pick up the phone and find out that her husband is dead. At the end of the day, how Criminal Minds: Evolution will address his ultimate departure is completely up to the creative minds, but one thing seems obvious: Will’s departure deserves a proper farewell.