For two decades, Criminal Minds has kept viewers on the edge of their seats by mastering the art of high-stakes tension and unexpected plot twists. When the beloved CBS procedural was revived by Paramount+ as Criminal Minds: Evolution, it brought back iconic Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) profiling veterans like Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. However, the revival also injected fresh energy into the franchise by introducing crucial new faces, most notably Tyler Green, played by the talented RJ Hatanaka. Originally introduced under a cloud of suspicion, Tyler’s journey from a broken man on the brink of self-destruction to an indispensable asset to the FBI has become one of the most compelling narratives of the revival, leaving fans constantly questioning how safe his character truly is.
In an exclusive conversation, the 36-year-old actor opened up about the inherent instability of television drama and whether he worries about Tyler facing a premature demise. Hatanaka explained that he approaches his career with a grounded, hardworking mindset, noting that he tries never to get too comfortable or take his foot off the gas pedal. This strong work ethic and rigorous preparation give him the confidence to believe that Tyler’s story has plenty of mileage left. Reflecting on the show’s incredible longevity as they push deep into filming its milestone twentieth overall season, Hatanaka praised the writing staff for their uncanny ability to keep audiences continuously surprised, asserting that his own dedication to the craft is his way of ensuring he sticks around for the long haul.
Tyler’s psychological trajectory is one of the most profound transformations the series has ever explored. When audiences first met him in season 16, he was a deeply traumatized individual pushed to his absolute limits, intent on taking down a serial killer network by any means necessary. Hatanaka warmly credits Penelope Garcia, the BAU’s heart and technical genius, as the catalyst who essentially saved Tyler’s life and opened the door for a radical path to redemption. Transitioning from a reckless vigilante into a badge-carrying member of the FBI has forced Tyler to adapt to a structured, highly disciplined world. While he possesses an incredibly unique and lethal military skillset, he remains the rookie of the group, trailing far behind the seasoned profilers who have spent decades analyzing the darkest corners of the human mind.
This steep learning curve serves as the emotional anchor for Tyler’s character arc throughout the nineteenth and twentieth seasons. Hatanaka expressed immense excitement over how the show handles this transition, highlighting the rich mentorship dynamics that develop as Tyler tries to catch up to the breakneck speed at which the BAU operates. Instead of his transformation happening off-screen, the writers have chosen to showcase Tyler’s messy, complicated growth in real time. This raw and honest progression allows audiences to witness a deeply flawed man actively choosing to become someone better, a creative choice that Hatanaka finds incredibly rare and deeply rewarding to play as an actor.
The ongoing success of Criminal Minds: Evolution, which drops new episodes on Paramount+ every Thursday, proves that the franchise’s formula of balancing intense serial killer profiling with deep character development remains incredibly potent. By introducing complex characters like Tyler Green, the show goes beyond simple police procedurals to examine the human cost of violence and the beautiful possibility of rehabilitation and second chances. Fans are responding to this emotional authenticity, recognizing that the stakes are higher than ever because they have grown so deeply attached to these characters’ survival and mental well-being.
Ultimately, Hatanaka’s perspective reflects the very essence of Criminal Minds: a relentless drive to survive and adapt in the face of constant danger. Whether Tyler is navigating the dangerous world of profiling criminals or trying to find his footing within a tight-knit surrogate family, his journey is a testament to the show’s enduring legacy. As the series charges forward, viewers can rest assured that both the actor and his character are giving it everything they have, embracing the uncertainty of the future while delivering the gripping, human-driven storytelling that has kept audiences hooked for twenty seasons.
