Want to know why did mandy Patinkin leave criminal minds? The crime drama series Criminal Minds made its premiere on the network CBS and soon enough was an instant hit amongst viewers. The series made its premiere on September 22, 2005, and enjoyed a long 16-season run which finally ended on February 19, 2020. The series was reportedly later revived in 2022. Criminal Minds: Evolution” is the brainchild that is spawned from the ever-popular “Criminal Minds.
As the show revolved around a group of criminal profiles who work as members of its Behavioural Analysis Unit. What makes the show unique is how these characters also tackle their struggles as well. Fans have found these characters relatable, and the actors playing these roles soon became fan favorites in no time.
However, some of these actors had a rather abrupt exit over the years, and fans were in for a surprise when they never made their much-awaited return to the long-running criminal drama series. Let us find out why did mandy Patinkin leave criminal minds.
Why did mandy Patinkin leave criminal minds?
While fans for to see Mandy Patinkin as FBI Special Agent Jason Gideon in Criminal Minds, his stay in the crime drama series was rather short-lived. Fans were surprised after the actor left the series shortly just after two seasons. Later, Jason Gideon permanently left Criminal Minds’ BAU in season 3.
While it was initially stated that Gideon’s Criminal Minds’ departure was due to creative differences, it turns out it was surely not that, and the actor later cleared the air stating that the reason he departed from the show is that he developed a profound aversion to the series’ disturbing content.
The actor went on to admit that the gruesome content compelled him to quit early from the show. Not only that, but Patinkin admitted that the biggest public mistake he ever made was to choose to do Criminal Minds in the first place, as he thought it was something very different.
Also, read Why Did Hotch Leave Criminal Minds? Reason Behind His Exit
Mandy Patinkin Made Shocking Revelations!
The actor admitted that joining the crime drama series was the biggest public mistake he had ever made. Patinkin went in to say that he had to quit Criminal Minds before season 3 because the content was destructive to his soul and personality.
The actor pointed out that he was not aware of the fact that the show would depict the murders and r**e of women every week, year after year, and the intensity of the violence shown took a toll on his mental health.
Patinkin later revealed in an early interview that he even penned down apology letters to the rest of the Criminal Minds cast members. Although, but stated that his early departure was necessary for his well-being. As Gideon resigned from the BAU, he left behind his badge and gun and penned down a special letter for Reid as the two developed a special bond during his time on the show.
What happened to Gideon in Criminal Minds?
Fans were in for a tragic turn as it was in Criminal Minds season 10 that the BAU made the shocking discovery of Gideon being murdered by an unsub he originally targeted in 1978. With Patinkin’s character being killed off, there was no possible way for the character to make a small cameo in the later seasons.
As the episode took a step back as it showed a young Gideon (played by Ben Savage) alongside a young David Rossi, who later replaced Patinkin’s character in Criminal Minds season 3 after his Exit.
However, fans saw Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon as he later came back in the series finale episode in the form of flashbacks in scenes from the first few seasons. Moreover, with Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) not returning in season 16, Gideon’s return also became highly unlikely in the long-running crime drama series.
