Actor Connor Storrie, who recently gained prominence for his leading role in the M/M romance adaptation Heated Rivalry, is set to appear in the new season of the crime procedural Criminal Minds: Evolution. Initially cast for a single episode, Storrie's role was extended to a four-episode arc after his performance impressed the show's creative team.
New promotional photos show Storrie in character as Lance Kingston. The character is officially described as a “charming yet manipulative narcissist who becomes entangled in a BAU investigation after being accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.”
From Guest Star to Key Figure
In an interview with Vulture, series creator Erica Messer explained that the decision to expand the role was a direct result of Storrie's work on set. “We were like, ‘Okay, I know he was important for episode four, but we’ve got to make him more integral to the rest of the season,’” Messer stated, adding that the change was “100% because he was so compelling.”
Messer also noted that the casting decision was made before Storrie's profile rose with Heated Rivalry. “The interesting thing is, none of us knew what Heated Rivalry was,” she said. “We were very much interested in finding somebody that would stand out a bit. Connor won that, hands down.”
What to Expect from the Arc
Storrie's character, Lance Kingston, is expected to challenge the show's protagonists directly. Messer confirmed that Kingston will go “toe-to-toe with the BAU,” highlighting a particular scene where Adam Rodriguez's character confronts him. The impression Storrie left was significant, with Messer noting that crew members have asked about the possibility of his return in the future. While his character's fate is unconfirmed, Messer remarked, “on Criminal Minds in general, you never say never.”
