It looks like a famous Star Trek alum is about to beam on board a popular crime drama in a mystery role!
Star Trek actors have often done well avoiding being typecast outside of the franchise. William Shatner struggled for years to escape the shadow of Kirk but succeeded with T.J. Hooker and Boston Legal. Other actors have done well with non-Trek roles, and while still connected to the franchise, stand on their own.
One of the best examples is Jeri Ryan. Before Star Trek: Voyager, her biggest role was on the short-lived NBC sci-fi drama Dark Skies. It was her turn as Seven of Nine that boosted Ryan to fame, and her portrayal of the former Borg made her an instant sci-fi fan favorite.
Since Voyager ended, Ryan has stayed busy on TV. She’s had roles on Boston Public, Shark, Body of Proof, Leverage, and Bosch, along with numerous guest star roles. And, of course, she would return as Seven in the Picard series.
Now, Ryan is moving to another popular Paramount+ role that could cast her as either a heroine or villain to show her talents!
Jeri Ryan joins the Criminal Minds cast for season 19
Per TV Line, Ryan will be appearing in the season 19 premiere of Criminal Minds. As of yet, there’s no word on who she will play.
Showrunner Erica Messer told TV Line: “Jeri had worked with the director of the premiere, Doug Aarniokoski, for years on Star Trek, so they’ve known one another.”
For those who don’t know, Criminal Minds debuted on CBS back in 2005, focusing on the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, a team of agents who track serial killers. The episodes involve fewer action scenes and more of the team exploring the psychology of the killers and what drives them on.
The show ran on CBS for 15 seasons, ending in 2020. However, Paramount+ revived it as Criminal Minds: Evolution, although it’s now seen as just continuing the original series. While still dealing with stand-alone cases, the BAU also has the arc of a twisted mastermind running a secret network of serial killers.
Just who Ryan is going to play on the show is up in the air. She’d be perfect as an FBI senior agent, perhaps sent to rein in the BAU’s actions or give them more support. However, Ryan can also be wonderful as a killer, maybe a “black widow” type or a sinister businesswoman with a darker side.
Anyone who’s seen Ryan on Star Trek knows how easily she can shift from charming and likable to cold-blooded and scary. With Criminal Minds having just aired season 18, the next season likely won’t be until early next year. But having Ryan on board will make it a must-watch for Trek fans.
Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Picard and Criminal Minds are all streaming on Paramount+.