'Criminal Minds' Actor Joe Mantegna Writes Heartwarming Farewell Letter To Fans As Cast Filmed Final Episode
The cast of Criminal Minds has wrapped up the filming of the final episode for series. As they shared their last day on set, the cast also shared their thoughts about it. Actor Joe Mantegna, in particular, posted a heartwarming letter and thanked his co-stars and fans for the years that they have shared.
Mantegna admitted that he will miss playing Agent David Rossi, whom he portrayed for the past 12 years. The 71-year-old actor joined the series in Season 3 of Criminal Minds.
He thanked the cast and crew who welcomed him 12 years ago. Mantegna noted how the show grows, and gain and loss some cast members since it premiered in 2005. Among the notable departures over the years include Mandy Patinkin (Jason Gideon), Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner), Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Kate Callahan), and Damon Gupton (Stephen Walker).
In a letter to fans, he described his time in Criminal Minds as a "wild and wonderful ride." Mantegna added that he is very much satisfied and proud of what they accomplished in the show. He concluded his letter with a special mention of their fans who continue to support the show despite the departure of several key cast members.
Mantegna's co-stars also took to social media to express their thoughts about their last of filming together. Aisha Tyler (Tara Lewis) commemorate her time in the series by getting a gun tattoo on her arm. Cast members Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), A.J. Cook (JJ Jareau), and Daniel Henney (Matt Simmons) also shared photos on their final days on set.
Earlier this year, CBS announced that the show would conclude after Season 15 and the series producers have promised an epic final season. Showrunner Erica Messer also assured viewers that JJ's confession about her feelings for Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) will also be explored in the final run of the CBS procedural drama.
"There are a lot of things that define people and [Reid] is one of those things to her. Maybe if she had never met Will in season two, things would've been different. If in another time and place... There's a heartbreak to that but you would want to know that in a friendship or relationship. It's complicated," Messer told Entertainment Tonight in an earlier interview.
Criminal Minds Season 15 will have 10 episodes as compared to its minimum of 20 episodes. The previous installment has a shorter run as well with only 15 episodes. Criminal Minds Season 15 is expected to premiere in fall.
