A J Cook opens up about Will’s shocking death and Reid’s return in emotional interview.

A whirlwind of emotions hit the Criminal Minds family when Josh Stewart suddenly exited the show.

A.J. Cook shares her raw feelings about filming Will’s funeral scene and the unexpected challenges that followed.

The detective’s death from an aneurysm left fans reeling and the cast scrambling to adapt to this major storyline shift.

The Footage They Never Wanted to Use

Will’s kitchen collapse scene was actually filmed years ago but shelved because it felt too tragic.

Cook admits they pulled the footage because it just felt wrong at the time.

When Stewart decided to leave, showrunner Erica Messer dug up this emotional scene for Thursday’s gut-wrenching farewell episode.

A Legendary Slap from Linda Lavin

Working with the late Linda Lavin was a career highlight for Cook.

She laughingly recalls having to swear at the legendary actress – twice! Their natural chemistry made the confrontation scenes especially powerful.

Though the slap looked authentic on screen, Cook reveals it was just movie magic at work.

Reid’s Return: A Delicate Reunion

Matthew Gray Gubler’s brief comeback as Spencer Reid felt like a true homecoming.

When Cook called him about Will’s storyline, he immediately agreed to return.

The reunion was short but meaningful, though Cook admits they carefully navigated the fine line between showing friendship without fueling “shipper” fantasies.

Real Sons Playing TV Sons

Few viewers realize Cook’s actual sons portray her character’s children.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the atmosphere on set remained surprisingly joyful.

Cook believes in letting kids experience big emotions and insists her well-grounded sons understood the difference between acting and reality.

Grief’s Messy Journey Ahead

JJ’s path forward won’t be neat or predictable. Cook hints that her character will find comfort in unexpected places and from surprising people.

Grief isn’t pretty, and the show plans to explore its many complicated layers as JJ navigates life without her husband.