DECIDER: Fans who were blown away by Connor Storrie’s performance as the charismatic, emotionally complex Russian hockey star in the series based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling books can see more of the actor’s impressive range in Criminal Minds: Evolution.
“Storrie’s casting in Season 19 of the Paramount+ series piqued the interest of longtime Criminal Minds fans and Heated Rivalry stans alike. Veteran viewers who know just how twisted the popular FBI profiler series can get likely expected Storrie to show different, darker shades of himself as a performer. But regardless of expectations, those who tune into Storrie’s debut in Season 19, Episode 4, “The Witching Hour,” will be both unsettled and impressed to see the Heated Rivalrystar as Lance Kingston […].
Storrie kicks off his performance opposite A.J. Cook (JJ Jareau) in a tense interrogation room scene. He drops the incredibly convincing Russian accent he uses in Heated Rivalry and picks up a devious new confidence and charm. Subtle jaw clenches, withering stares, and palpable internal conflict from Storrie successfully communicate a simmering rage just below the surface.
Even in a character as initially off-putting as Lance, Storrie finds humanity and makes viewers feel unexpected empathy.”
🔗 Full review: https://t.co/lPUFwFi5zb
TV FANATIC: Criminal Minds Season 19 Episode 4 Introduces Connor Storrie’s Lance in an Explosive Way
“Showrunner Erica Messer didn’t really know who she had on her hands, and Lance was only supposed to be a one-episode character.
Then Storrie excelled against the likes of AJ Cook and Adam Rodriguez (who have the sweetest moment when it comes to Henry), showing that his role needed to be extended.
Sure, the role itself is a pretty standard “angry white guy” one, which we see all the time on Criminal Minds, but seeing Storrie go from playing a cocky, confident Russian hockey player to a dangerous, threatening potential UnSub was pretty impressive.”
🔗 Full review: https://t.co/UeMKvxcIdO,
TV INSIDER: The Thursday, June 11, episode is [Connor Storrie's] first, the one that impressed those on the show so much that, as showrunner Erica Messer told TV Insider, the rest of the season was reworked — and we can see why.
“Connor Storrie plays Lance, who faces off with JJ, Tara, and Luke in an interrogation room. And Storrie does a great job of holding his own like the character of Lance needs to against JJ and Tara, to come across as someone who isn't a great guy but has you questioning if he could be the guy they're looking for. And he plays the change from his scenes with them to his one with Luke, who comes at him in a very different way.”
🔗 Full review: https://t.co/OnPtWzcYbL
Criminal Minds: Evolution showrunner Erica Messer talked about Connor Storrie's role in the series in a recent interview with Good Housekeeping.
“When we met him while working on the fourth episode, we were shooting it last July, he said he had done this little show for HBO, but none of us had seen it. And he was only going to be in that one episode, but he was so, so good that we were like, we can't lose this guy. So, his character became more integral to the whole season.
[…] When Heated Rivalry came up, we were all like, ‘wait, that's Connor!’ Everybody was just so thrilled for him, because he was such a great guy. I’m just ready for the viewers to see just how crazy talented he is, beyond what he’s done on Heated Rivalry. He goes on quite a journey in Criminal Minds: Evolution, and I can’t wait for them to recognize that his acting ability truly goes in so many different directions.”
🔗 Read more: https://t.co/fVsUgOYelK