“Criminal Minds: Evolution ”to End in 2027 After 20 Seasons

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The series returned to Paramount+ as ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ in 2022

Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+
Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’
Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+

NEED TO KNOW

  • Criminal Minds: Evolution will end with the 20th overall season of the series in 2027
  • Criminal Minds debuted on CBS in 2005 and earned a Paramount+ revival in 2022
  • “We’re looking forward to sharing Season 20 with everyone, and celebrating the legacy of this special show we’ve all built together,” showrunner Erica Messer said

Criminal Minds: Evolution is ending next year with its upcoming 20th season on Paramount+.

The new season will premiere in 2027 and will feature the return of stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. 

“It’s hard to put into words what Criminal Minds has meant to all of us who have been fortunate enough to be part of this extraordinary journey, first on CBS for 15 seasons and then on Paramount+ for five,” showrunner and executive producer Erica Messer said on Friday, Oct. 30.

A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau and Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+
A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau and Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’
Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+

“While suddenly navigating the end of this chapter, I’m filled with gratitude for our remarkable cast, writers, directors and crew who have poured their hearts into this show, and for the incredible fans around the world whose unwavering loyalty has kept Criminal Minds going for two decades,” Messer continued. “We’re looking forward to sharing Season 20 with everyone, and celebrating the legacy of this special show we’ve all built together.”

Criminal Minds launched on CBS in September 2005 and centers on criminal profilers who work for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. The show stood out among other crime procedurals by focusing on the psychology of the featured killers. 

RJ Hatanaka as Tyler Green, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, and Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis on the set of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+
RJ Hatanaka as Tyler Green, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, and Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis on the set of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’
Credit: Michael Becker/Paramount+

Jeff Davis created the original series. Breen Frazier, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw, Stacey Hardt and Mark Gordon serve as executive producers with Messer.

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The show originally ended with a 10-episode season on CBS in early 2020. It later returned to Paramount+ for a 16th season in November 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution. The show has kept the Evolution subtitle for its entire Paramount+ run.

Criminal Minds also inspired two short-lived spinoffs. Forest Whitaker led Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, which aired in 2011. Gary Sinise starred in Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, which aired in 2016 and 2017.

After Criminal Minds: Evolution ends, the series will remain available to stream on Paramount+. No specific premiere date for Season 20 has been announced.