Felicity Huffman has secured a significant role in the upcoming series Evolution, a spinoff of Paramount+'s Criminal Minds. The Emmy-winning actress will be a guest star in the next season, portraying Dr. Jill Gideon, a talented biological psychiatrist with intricate ties to key characters in the franchise.
This opportunity marks Huffman's first major network series role since her involvement in a college admissions scandal in 2019. Despite previously being set to star in a spinoff of The Good Doctor, ABC opted not to move forward with the project. In Evolution, Huffman's character, Dr. Jill Gideon, will assist the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit in unraveling a murderous conspiracy theory.
Dr. Gideon's complex history with David Rossi and her deceased ex-husband, Jason Gideon, adds layers to her character. The role, initially announced as a guest star part, hints at the potential for Huffman to have an extended presence in the series.
In 2019, Huffman faced legal consequences for paying $15,000 to manipulate her daughter's SAT scores. She served 14 days in prison, paid a $30,000 fine, and completed 250 hours of community service. Huffman expressed deep regret for her actions, acknowledging the shame she carries from the incident.
Criminal Minds: Evolution premiered in 2022 on Paramount+ and features a talented cast including Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, and Ryan-James Hatanaka, with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. The series serves as a continuation of the original Criminal Minds, which aired from 2005 to 2020 on CBS.
