A.J. Cook On Criminal Minds - A Look At Her Journey

Many folks who enjoy television dramas have come to know the face of Andrea Joy Cook, someone many simply call A.J. Her work on a particular show, a police drama, has left a big mark on viewers. This series, which first appeared on CBS, ran for quite a while, giving people plenty of episodes to watch and discuss. It seems, too, that her connection to this show is a story with its own twists and turns, making her time on screen something people really talk about.

This program, about solving crimes, kept audiences hooked for a long time, stretching over fifteen seasons, with its last episode showing up in early 2020. A.J. Cook was a big part of it for almost all of that run, appearing in fourteen of those fifteen seasons. Her departure from the show, in a way, came as a bit of a surprise to many who followed the series closely, leaving some wondering what had happened.

Her work as a special agent on this long-running CBS series is what most people remember her for. She is, as a matter of fact, back playing that same character now on a different platform, with more episodes on the way later this year. Her presence on the program, you know, was something that truly helped shape its feel and its stories, making her character a central part of the whole experience.

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A.J. Cook - A Personal Background

Andrea Joy Cook, who many people know as A.J., was born on July 22, 1978. She comes from Canada, a country that has given us many talented people in the entertainment world. Her early life and where she grew up tell us a little bit about her beginnings before she became a familiar face on our screens. She, you know, has been in the entertainment business since she was a child, showing her talent from a young age.

She was born in a place called Oshawa, in Ontario, Canada. Most of her younger years were spent growing up in a town nearby, named Whitby. It was there, apparently, that she went to school and lived her day-to-day life before her acting career took off. Her path from a Canadian upbringing to a well-known acting career is, in some respects, quite a journey.

Beyond her most famous part, A.J. Cook has also appeared in a few big films from Hollywood. These include a picture called "The Virgin Suicides," another one named "Out Cold," and the movie "Final Destination 2." These roles show that her abilities stretch beyond just television work. She, as a matter of fact, has a range of experiences on screen, which is pretty cool.

Personal Details - A.J. Cook

Full NameAndrea Joy Cook
Common NameA.J. Cook
Date of BirthJuly 22, 1978
Place of BirthOshawa, Ontario, Canada
Known ForSupervisory Special Agent Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau in 'Criminal Minds'

What's the Story Behind A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds Role?

A.J. Cook's part on *Criminal Minds* is what made her a household name for many. She played a character named Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, who was a supervisory special agent. This role, in a way, really connected with people, making JJ a character many cared about deeply. The show itself, as I was saying, was a police drama that started on CBS and ran for a long time, giving viewers many seasons of crime-solving stories.

The series, which wrapped up its original run in February of 2020, had A.J. Cook in its cast for almost its entire run. She was there for fourteen of the fifteen seasons. Her character, JJ, was, you know, a very important part of the team and the overall feel of the show. Her presence helped give the show its unique flavor, and her character's journey kept people watching.

The Beloved Character of A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds

Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, the character played by A.J. Cook on *Criminal Minds*, was someone many fans truly loved. She was, in some respects, a central figure in the team, bringing a certain kind of heart and strength to the group of profilers. Her actions and decisions on the show, you know, often had a big impact on the stories being told, making her an important part of the narrative.

The character was seen as someone who cared deeply about others and who had a strong sense of what was right. People really felt a connection to her, which is why, apparently, her sudden absence from the show caused such a stir. Her portrayal of JJ made the character feel very real and relatable to those watching at home, something that is quite a feat for any actor.

Why Did A.J. Cook Leave Criminal Minds?

A.J. Cook's departure from *Criminal Minds* during its sixth season was something that really caught many fans off guard. People who watched the show were, like, very surprised when she was no longer on screen. They really liked her character, JJ, and they wanted her to come back. This desire for her return, you know, led to many fans expressing their feelings and asking for her to be brought back to the show.

At the time, the network, CBS, stated that her leaving was due to reasons connected to the creative direction of the show, rather than money matters. So, it was, in a way, a choice made about the story and how things would go. This temporary exit, however, did not sit well with many people who followed the series closely, leading to a lot of discussion among the show's loyal viewers.

How Did A.J. Cook Return to Criminal Minds?

The story of A.J. Cook's return to *Criminal Minds* is, in some respects, a testament to the strong feelings fans had for her character and her work. After her temporary departure in season six, many people who watched the show made it known that they really wanted her back. This widespread desire, you know, played a big part in what happened next.

It seems that A.J. Cook herself, along with her fellow cast members, and the show's dedicated audience, worked to get her character, JJ, back on the program. This collective effort showed just how much she meant to the series and to the people who watched it every week. Her coming back to the show was, as a matter of fact, a big moment for many who had missed her presence on screen.

Her character, JJ, was, in a way, an important piece of the team's makeup. When she left, it felt like something was missing for many viewers. The fact that she did come back shows that the voices of the audience and the support from her colleagues can really make a difference. It's almost like, the show just felt more complete with her there, and that's something the network eventually recognized.

What Challenges Did A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds Character Face in Evolution?

A.J. Cook is currently playing her character, JJ, again in a newer version of the show, called *Criminal Minds: Evolution*, which is available on Paramount+. This continuation of the story, you know, brings new challenges for JJ. The show is even going into a second season later this year, meaning more stories for her character to go through. It's, like, a whole new chapter for her.

In this new series, Cook has talked about how her character, JJ, goes through a lot of personal loss. This loss, apparently, takes JJ to some pretty unexpected places emotionally. Cook has also mentioned how a special appearance by another character, a cameo, came to be. These events, as I was saying, shape JJ's path in this new set of stories.

A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds - JJ's Emotional Struggles

One of the big emotional events for JJ in *Criminal Minds: Evolution* was the shocking death of her husband, Will, who was played by Josh Stewart. This happened in the second episode of the show's eighteenth season. Cook has spoken about how devastating this loss was for JJ. It was, in a way, a very difficult thing for her character to deal with, something that changes a person deeply.

Will's sudden passing in *Evolution* was a turning point for JJ. A.J. Cook shared some thoughts on what it was like to film those scenes, describing the emotional weight of them. She has also talked about what this loss means for JJ moving forward and what comes next for her character, especially in relation to another character named Voit. It's, you know, a very intense time for JJ.

Fans have also expressed concern about JJ's future after seeing a trailer for the third season of *Evolution*. This worry shows just how much people care about her character and what happens to her. Cook has also spoken about the balance she had to find in portraying Will's death and a brief but meaningful reunion with Matthew Gray Gubler's character. It was, like, a fine line to walk, she said.

The Look of A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds - A Deliberate Choice

A.J. Cook has also shared a reason why her character, JJ, looks much more tired and worn out in *Criminal Minds: Evolution* compared to how she appeared in the original show. This change in appearance, you know, was not accidental. It was, in some respects, a choice made on purpose to reflect what JJ has been through in her life and work.

The decision to make JJ look more haggard in the new series was, apparently, a deliberate one. It helps to show the audience the weight of the experiences her character has endured. This visual change, as a matter of fact, adds another layer to JJ's story, letting viewers see the impact of her struggles on her very being. It's a way to tell part of her story without using words, which is pretty clever.

Beyond A.J. Cook's Criminal Minds - Other Roles

While A.J. Cook is most widely recognized and loved for her portrayal of JJ Jareau on *Criminal Minds*, her career in entertainment started much earlier and includes other notable parts. She has been in the showbiz world since she was a child, which shows a long-standing commitment to her craft. Her work on *Criminal Minds* is a big part of her story, but it is not the only part.

As mentioned before, she has also appeared in several Hollywood films. These include "The Virgin Suicides," a picture that gained a lot of attention, "Out Cold," and the popular movie "Final Destination 2." These roles, you know, demonstrate her ability to work in different kinds of stories and with different production teams. It's, like, she has a varied background in front of the camera.

Her experience in these other projects, in a way, helped shape her into the performer people see today. It is clear that her path in acting has been a consistent one, building up to her most famous role. Her work outside of *Criminal Minds* shows that she has a wide range of abilities and interests in the world of storytelling, which is pretty cool to think about.

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