Tim Curry's Criminal Minds Guest Role Was Pure Nightmare Fuel

Tim Curry's two-episode role on Criminal Minds' Season 5 finale, titled "Our Darkest Hour," was a nightmare fuel episode that set a creepy tone. Curry's character, Billy Flynn, appeared in grainy shots driving through LA in a rundown RV, with Leonard Cohen's gruff voice singing "I'm Your Man" in the background. Flynn struck at night, attacking fathers, sexually assaulting mothers, and forcing their children to watch.

He had been killing and assaulting victims for 26 years without being caught, going town to town without anyone noticing. Flynn's victims included the parents of Matt Spicer's character, who was just a child at the time, and he kidnapped Spicer's sister and daughter, ultimately killing Spicer himself. Flynn's actions were motivated by childhood trauma, and his disconcerting behavior was a stark contrast to the series' other villains.

Curry's performance brought a theatrical edge to Flynn's erratic behavior, making him stand out among the show's two decades of episodes. The episode ended with a major cliffhanger, leaving fans in suspense all summer until Season 6 premiered in September 2010. Billy Flynn's performance was entirely a result of chance, as actress Kirsten Vangsness discovered when she heard his voice while working out, leading to his unexpected addition to the show.

Fellow cast members, including Joe Mantegna, paid tribute to Curry on social media, mourning his loss in August 2026. Vangsness expressed her own gratitude for working with the "Gem" of an actor.