The unexpected exit of Stephen Walker in Criminal Minds season 13 left viewers reeling, demanding an explanation for why Damon Gupton left the show. Criminal Minds has captivated audiences globally since 2005, weaving intricate tales of an elite FBI profiling team’s battles against the darkest minds. The series, renowned for its psychological depth and suspenseful storytelling, experienced a significant shift early on when Mandy Patinkin, who played lead profiler Jason Gideon, left the show due to concerns over its violent content. Despite these challenges, Criminal Mind has flourished, securing a place in viewers’ hearts and spawning many Criminal Minds spin-offs.
While progressing through Criminal Minds’ impressive fifteen-season run, it navigated several major cast changes that profoundly impacted its narrative. The departures of key characters such as Patinkin’s Gideon, Thomas Gibson’s dismissal in season 12, and Shemar Moore stepping down after season 11 — though he later made guest appearances — underscored the show’s evolving dynamics. The exit of Agent Stephen Walker, portrayed by Damon Gupton, marked another significant moment in the series. Walker’s departure not only added to the list of dramatic exits but also left fans eager for explanations and the impact on the team’s future.
Damon Gupton only joined the cast of Criminal Minds as Stephen Walker during season 12 following Thomas Gibson’s exit, where he was brought on to help find killer Mr. Scratch. Walker was a family man and a respected agent, but despite appearing in most of season 12, he didn’t get much in the way of development. In the season 12 finale “Red Light” the team is lured into a trap by Mr. Scratch, leading to a car accident that ends the season on a cliffhanger.
Criminal Minds season 13 episode “Wheels Up” revealed the fate of the team, with Stephen Walker having broken his neck due to whiplash. The team is understandably devastated by this and later attends his funeral. Walker was replaced by agent Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), who came from the canceled spinoff Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Walker’s death was undeniably tragic, though it might have felt more impactful if the character had more development.
Damon Gupton’s departure from Criminal Minds as Agent Stephen Walker was as abrupt as it was surprising, leaving fans with many questions. Unlike other character exits that were woven into the fabric of the show’s narrative with detailed story arcs, Walker’s send-off lacked the depth and on-screen attention typically given to departing main characters, as his death occurred off-screen. Initially, rumors swirled around the reasons for Gupton’s exit in Criminal Minds, hinting at a vague “creative change” within the show’s direction.
However, clarity came when Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer later revealed the truth behind the decision: Gupton was released from the cast as part of a strategic moveto reshape the team’s dynamics and make room for a new addition, Daniel Henney, who was transitioning from one of the show’s spin-offs, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Gupton’s exit, therefore, was not just a matter of creative reevaluation but also a strategic casting choice aimed at steering the show in a new direction.
The departure of Agent Stephen Walker, albeit sudden and somewhat premature, opened a new chapter for Damon Gupton. Shortly after his exit from the popular crime procedural, Gupton didn’t just step into a new role; he leaped into the spotlight as a regular on the critically acclaimed series Black Lightning. In the superhero Arrowverse drama, he portrayed Inspector Bill Henderson, a steadfast ally to Jefferson Pierce, for three seasons.
But Gupton’s journey didn’t pause there. His post-Criminal Minds career includes the legal drama Goliath, where he dove into the complexities of the American legal system, and lent his talents to the suspenseful world of The Enemy Within. Additionally, Gupton has graced the stage, returning to his roots in theater where his passion for acting first ignited, and has even conducted orchestras, showcasing his multifaceted talents beyond his role in Criminal Minds.