Zach Gilford talks UnSub Elias Voit in Criminal Minds: Evolution

You know Zach Gilford from the likes of LA’s Finest and Good Girls. Now it’s time to see him in a very different role in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

The first two episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution are now streaming on Paramount+. You can get a sense of what Elias Voit is all about, and why he is so different to the UnSubs of Criminal Minds past.

Zach Gilford is taking on that role. We talked to him about it, including why this when he’s known for playing protagonists or at least flawed people you can root for.

Why Elias Voit in Criminal Minds: Evolution?

It turns out that Gilford had auditioned for a role in Criminal Minds in the past, back when it was still in the pilot stage. He didn’t get it, but things come full circle. Now he has the role, and it’s nothing like he would have had back in the day.

"“I’ve not watched every single episode, but I’ve checked in over the last decade and a half. It was actually one of my first auditions every, and I was like ‘I’m going to be on a show…’ and then I didn’t get it.”"

Why take on such a dark role? What was it about the character that pulled him into it?

"“I think it’s so fun to do something different…He’s complicated and complex and evil, but it just seemed like so much there to do. I was surprised asked me…but when I got the scripts, I saw why they thought I might be able to bring something to the character and it’s been so fun to do, and a challenge, which is something we’re looking for as actors.”"

Elias is definitely a complex character. He’s dark and twisted, and the series will delve further into who he is and what’s happened in his past to make him the way he is. What can we expect when we’re just starting Criminal Minds: Evolution?

"“Elias is damaged goods. We will get into his backstory and see some of his origin story, which is another part of humanizing him. I think that’s what’s cool about this season. They kind of humanize this monster, and not make him someone you like necessarily, but just showing that everybody’s a person and it’s almost scarier when you see these monsters in the world living their normal life. You think this could be anyone.”"

The series is bringing us a very different approach by having a serialized story. What about Elias as a character? What makes him different to the villains we’ve seen in the past?

“I think there are a few aspects of Elias. One, I think he’s the most prolific serial killer they’ve ever tracked, so good for me. Second of all, I think it’s just following him into the real world and not just seeing his evil deeds…but seeing who he is when he’s not doing anything.”

Take a look at the full interview with Zach Gilford below:

The first two episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution is available to stream on Paramount+ now. Episodes will release weekly.