Talking with Actor Jamison Jones from 'Criminal Minds: Evolution'

This edition of Talking With focuses on actor Jamison Jones, who stepping into to a multi-episode arc on Season 19 of the drama series Criminal Minds: Evolution, airing on Paramount+.

Retired Army veteran Tom Milliken (Jones), a longtime friend and basic training instructor of Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez), is first introduced when he seeks the BAU teams help with a suspicious apparent suicide involving an Army veteran. Later in the season, Milliken is shot and killed during a training session that causes Alvez to get involved to prove his friend didn’t commit suicide but was murdered.

Jamison has been entertaining audiences for years as evidenced by his many recognizable credits. These span television shows such as HBO’s True Detective, Steven Spielberg’s The Whispers, 24, Burn Notice, 9-1-1, CSI, Alias, NCIS, and Will & Grace; as well as films like Hollywood Homicide with Harrison Ford, The Lodger with Alfred Molina, He Was a Quiet Man with Christian Slater and William H. Macy, and the horror hit The Wretched.

The busy actor has several films in the works right now, including one he wrote, produced and stars in called Beginning Tomorrow.

To learn more, we are Talking With Jamison Jones:

Why did you want to be part of Criminal Minds: Evolution?

 Jamison Jones: It's always exciting to be presented with the opportunity to be a part of a long running series like Criminal Minds, and while the show has been on for 19 seasons, each iteration of it has been very different. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this cast, these writers, and this crew.

As an actor, what helped you the most in bringing this character to life?

Jamison Jones: The story was pretty compelling, and the rest of the cast was really wonderful to work off of. So, I think the cast and crew allowed me to be present and, in the moment… and the preparation. Coming in ready to work.

Where do you start when preparing for a role?

Jamison Jones: When preparing for any role, I always start with what's in the script. What does the character say? What does the character do? What do other people say about this character. What happens to this character and how does he respond? And how can I, in some way elevate the material, bring myself to the rule, but also honor the character as written.

What was your favorite moment from working on the show?

Jamison Jones: Actually, my favorite moment in the show, didn't make the final cut. It's a beautiful scene between agent Tom Milliken, and Agent Tyler Green played by RJ Hatanaka. My character senses in the episode that he's been struggling with some mental health issues and comes to offer him some assistance, agent Green suggests he doesn't have an issue until Milliiken leaves him with his business card and asks him to call if he ever needs help. It was a well written scene, beautifully executed, nicely directed by Anthony Vietro and shot with a real sense of care. Being a psychopath and getting shot was pretty exciting as well.

This isn’t the only project you’re appearing in; tell us about the films you’ve got coming up.

Jamison Jones: I am the writer, producer and actor on the film Beginning Tomorrow. It’s a passion project that we shot at the same time as Criminal Minds, and mostly nights. So, I would shoot on my movie from 4pm to 4am, go home and sleep for a few hours and head over to Criminal Minds. It was a crazy schedule, but an exciting challenge and only a few weeks of overlap, so we made it work.

The film is about… A chance encounter reunites two childhood sweethearts for an unforgettable evening. Reminiscing about their past and imagining what the future could hold, the excitement of their rekindled connection slowly gives way to long-buried pain and unresolved truths and as sunrise approaches, they reveal that this seemingly romantic fantasy may be their last attempt to save something far greater.

It also stars Lisa LoCicero and was directed by Juan Pablo Aria Munoz and is in its final stages of post. It has a team from around the world, the director lives in Chile, the colorist is in Argentina, the DP lives in Wisconsin, the Composer is in Switzerland, and the rest of the post team is in Chicago.

Another film is Leatherclad, directed by Tom Benton. This is a film I shot in Vermont last year that was produced by a former student of mine -- I also teach acting at my own private studio in Burbank. The premise is an ex-con and a mysterious woman take refuge in a remote cabin in the woods after hearing gunshots nearby, uncertain whether the hunters outside know they’re there. As suspicion and tension grow through the night, they learn the armed men are searching for legendary game warden Jim Wheeler (who I portray) — a man whose disappearance may connect all of them in ways neither expected.

I’m currently shooting the independent feature Small Talk and stars a former student of mine named Keegan Allen. The premise: it’s 1979, a rock n' roll trio known as Small Talk is determined to make a name for themselves in the music industry. The band does their best to move forward as they face tragedy and heartbreak.

I play Pastor Russell, a compassionate community leader who sees both the promise and struggles in those around him. Though wary of Keates’ (the singer played by Austin North) relationship with his daughter, he recognizes his talent and encourages him toward a better path. When he realizes Chayton’s (the drummer) alcoholism has led him into deep depression, Pastor Russell becomes determined to help guide him back to himself.

Do you prefer working in film or TV and is there a difference in terms of your approach?

Jamison Jones: I love working in film and television and theater. They all offer different challenges. As we know, the theater came from religion and has a certain oration aspect to it; stories with a message, deep complex characters that make us think and make the audience want to talk about it after.  Film came from photography and is more about visual storytelling, what can we do with fewer words and nonverbal communication, and the composition of the image and television came from radio and is all about telling stories with words. So, television often times has a lot of exposition, which offers its own set of challenges, while film, well, the best films, can say so much with a look or a glance, and the difference between a wide shot or a close-up is monumental in a film. It’s all very exciting and compelling work.

What’s one piece of advice you received that you continue to rely on?

Jamison Jones: The best piece of advice I've ever received about the industry is, do not take any of it personal. The rejection, don't make it personal, which is hard, because I take my work very personally, and I pour a lot of myself into it, so when I don't get the role, I do feel disappointed. But there's always another one around the corner.

The advice I always give young Actors is, you’ve gotta do it yourself. You've got to write for yourself, you've got to advocate for yourself, you've got a push yourself, you've got to do everything you can do, everything that's in your power to succeed. This is a very challenging industry, not for the faint of heart, you've got to have a thick skin, but you also have to be sensitive, open and emotionally available and be willing to be vulnerable, and those things don’t seem to go together. How can you be tough as nails and still expose your true self to the audience and let them inside.

Keep up with Jamison Jones on Instagram: @realjamisonjones or JamisonJones.com