He’s Pennywise. He’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter. He’s the guy who made us all a little bit afraid of hotel concierges in Home Alone 2. But if you ask a certain subset of procedural TV fans what the most unsettling performance of his career was, they won't point toward a musical or a sewer. They’ll talk about a two-part arc from 2010. Tim Curry on Criminal Minds was a legitimate cultural reset for the show, turning a standard police procedural into a genuine horror movie for two hours of television.
It was the season five finale, "Our Darkest Hour," and the season six premiere, "The It's Okay." Usually, Criminal Minds villains follow a pattern. You’ve got the tragic backstory, the specific "signature," and the eventual takedown by the BAU. Tim Curry’s character, Billy Flynn—better known as "The Prince of Darkness"—didn't feel like a character. He felt like a haunting.
💡 You might also like: Lucas on The Voice: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With That Audition
Honestly, the show was already dark. But Curry brought this oily, whispering menace that made the BAU look genuinely out of their depth for the first time in years.
Why Billy Flynn Was Different
Most "UnSubs" (Unidentified Subjects) in the show's history hide in the shadows because they're afraid of being caught. Billy Flynn used the shadows as a weapon. During a series of rolling blackouts in Los Angeles, he didn't just kill people; he forced them to live through his sick fantasies in the pitch black.
The brilliance of the Tim Curry Criminal Minds performance wasn't in the violence. It was in the voice. Curry has always had that iconic, gravelly baritone, but here he used it to sound like a man whose soul had been eroded by decades of spite. He wasn't some high-concept mastermind with a complex riddle. He was a predator who liked the dark.
Think about the setup. L.A. is sweltering. The power is out. People are vulnerable in their own homes. Flynn enters and doesn't just shoot someone; he lingers. He makes a child watch. He talks to them. It was a level of psychological cruelty that even veteran viewers found hard to stomach.
The Physicality of the Role
Curry was 64 when these episodes aired. He wasn't sprinting through alleys or engaging in Jason Bourne-style hand-to-hand combat. He was slow. Methodical. He looked like a man who had spent his entire life in the corners of rooms.
✨ Don't miss: Jimmy Fallon Saved by the Bell Reunion: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The makeup department did a hell of a job, too. He looked greasy, unwashed, and sickly. It’s a far cry from the flamboyant energy he brought to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It showed his range—reminding everyone that he can go from "campy fun" to "pure visceral discomfort" without breaking a sweat.
The Impact on the BAU
This wasn't just another case for Derek Morgan or Spencer Reid. This arc was personal, particularly for Morgan (played by Shemar Moore). The Prince of Darkness pushed the team's buttons in a way that felt permanent. Usually, by the end of an episode, the team is flying home on their private jet, sipping coffee and reflecting on a quote by Nietzsche or Hemingway.
But after the Tim Curry Criminal Minds episodes? The air felt thinner.
Flynn’s obsession with "the girl," Ellie Spicer, and his taunting of Morgan created a tension that lasted well into season six. It highlighted the show's core theme: that there are some things you can't just "profile" away. Sometimes, evil is just a guy in a dark room who decided he didn't want to be alone.
Breaking Down the "Prince of Darkness" Methodology
Flynn was a "spree killer" who evolved into something much worse. His history was rooted in his own childhood trauma, which is a classic Criminal Minds trope, but Curry played the "damaged child" aspect with zero sentimentality.
- He targeted families during blackouts.
- He purposefully left survivors to carry the trauma.
- He used a signature "whisper" that became the auditory cue for terror.
There’s a specific scene where he’s talking to a young girl, telling her that he’s the one who stays when everyone else leaves. It’s chilling. It’s not a movie monster line; it’s a predatory line. It’s why people still search for these episodes over a decade later. They stick to your ribs.
Production Trivia You Might Have Missed
Interestingly, these episodes were directed by Edward Allen Bernero, who was the showrunner at the time. Bernero knew he had a legend on set. He let the camera linger on Curry's face for long stretches. Most TV episodes are cut fast to keep the "pace" up, but these episodes breathe. They’re claustrophobic.
Robert Knepper (from Prison Break) also appeared in this era of the show, but even his high-intensity acting couldn't match the quiet, vibrating energy Curry brought. It’s widely considered one of the top five guest spots in the show’s 15-season run.
The Legacy of Tim Curry on Criminal Minds
Why does this still matter? Well, for one, Criminal Minds has seen a massive resurgence on streaming platforms like Paramount+ and Hulu. A whole new generation of viewers is discovering "The Prince of Darkness" for the first time.
Also, Tim Curry’s health changed significantly a few years after these episodes aired. He suffered a major stroke in 2012, which has limited his live-action appearances. Looking back at his performance as Billy Flynn, you’re seeing one of the final masterclasses in live-action villainy from one of the greatest character actors to ever do it.
✨ Don't miss: Who is Actually in the We Wish You a Married Christmas Cast?
He didn't need a clown suit. He didn't need a corset. He just needed a flashlight and a script that understood how to use his presence.
The show tried to replicate this "super-villain" feel later with characters like Mr. Scratch or The Reaper. While those were great, they often felt a bit "comic booky." The Prince of Darkness felt like someone who could actually be in your house when the lights go out. That’s the Tim Curry difference.
How to Revisit This Arc
If you're looking to re-watch (or see it for the first time), you need to watch these two episodes back-to-back. Don't skip.
- Season 5, Episode 23: "Our Darkest Hour" – This sets the stage. The tension builds as the blackouts hit L.A., and the team realizes they're dealing with a ghost.
- Season 6, Episode 1: "It's Okay" – This is the resolution. It’s where the psychological standoff between Morgan and Flynn reaches its peak.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Lighting: Pay attention to how the directors used practical light (flashlights, candles) to frame Curry. It’s a masterclass in low-budget suspense.
- Listen to the Audio: If you have decent headphones, use them. Curry’s vocal performance has layers of sibilance and breathing that get lost on standard TV speakers.
- Contextualize the Trauma: Notice how the show handles the concept of "The Cycle of Abuse." Flynn isn't just a killer; he's a product of a system that failed, though the show wisely never asks you to pity him.
Curry’s turn as Billy Flynn remains a high-water mark for network television. It proved that you don't need a massive budget or CGI to terrify an audience—you just need the right voice coming out of the shadows.