If you’ve followed the BAU team from the original CBS run to the streaming revival, you probably already know the franchise isn’t slowing down. In March 2025, Paramount+ officially renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 19th season, with the 18th season set to premiere on May 8, 2025 Paramount+ Press Express (official renewal announcement). Here’s what we know about the upcoming seasons, the cast, and where to watch every episode.
Original series debut: September 22, 2005 ·
Original series finale: February 19, 2020 ·
Revival series debut: November 24, 2022 ·
Number of original seasons: 15 ·
Total episodes (original + revival): Over 330 ·
Longest-running cast member (original): Joe Mantegna (since Season 3)
Quick snapshot
- Paramount+ renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 19th season on March 5, 2025 (Paramount+ Press Express).
- Season 18 premieres May 8, 2025 (Variety).
- Season 19 premieres May 28, 2026 (Paramount+ sneak peek page).
- Season 20 has been greenlit for 2027 (TV Insider).
- Exact release date for Season 20 (greenlit for 2027, no specific date yet).
- Why Matthew Gray Gubler chose not to return for the revival.
- Whether any original cast members will appear in guest roles in future seasons.
- Exact episode count for Seasons 18–20 not yet confirmed.
- Whether the franchise will continue beyond Season 20.
- Whether any additional original cast members (e.g., Shemar Moore, Mandy Patinkin) will make guest appearances.
- March 5, 2025: Season 19 renewal announced (Variety).
- May 8, 2025: Season 18 premieres (Paramount+).
- May 28, 2026: Season 19 premieres (Paramount+ sneak peek page).
- 2027: Season 20 greenlit (TV Insider).
- Season 18 airs in 2025; Season 19 in 2026; Season 20 in 2027.
- All new episodes stream exclusively on Paramount+.
- Main cast confirmed to return for all confirmed seasons.
Here is a quick reference for the series’ key details:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Series creator | Jeff Davis (Wikipedia) |
| Network (original) | CBS (Wikipedia) |
| Network (revival) | Paramount+ (Paramount+ Press Express) |
| Total original seasons | 15 (Wikipedia) |
| Revival seasons ordered | 3 (Seasons 16–18) plus Seasons 19 and 20 confirmed (Paramount+ sneak peek page) |
| Longest-running cast member | Joe Mantegna (David Rossi) since Season 3 (Paramount+ cast guide) |
Will There Be a Season 19 of Criminal Minds?
Current renewal status
- Yes: Paramount+ officially renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 19th season on March 5, 2025 (Paramount+ Press Express).
- Season 19 premieres exclusively on Paramount+ on May 28, 2026 (Paramount+ sneak peek page).
- Season 20 has also been greenlit for 2027, though no specific premiere date has been set (TV Insider).
- Season 18 premieres first on May 8, 2025, continuing the Evolution storyline (Variety).
Paramount+ renewal logic
Streaming platforms often renew series in multi-season batches. The fact that Paramount+ ordered Seasons 19 and 20 before Season 18 aired signals strong confidence in the franchise’s performance. Paramount+ called the show a “cornerstone of our original programming.”
Why Did Criminal Minds Stop?
CBS cancellation in 2020
- CBS canceled the original series after 15 seasons, citing declining ratings and high production costs. The final season (Season 15) aired as a shortened 10-episode arc that concluded on February 19, 2020 (Wikipedia).
- The show was one of CBS’s longest-running dramas, but viewership had dropped from its peak of over 14 million to around 5 million per episode by Season 15 (Nielsen ratings via industry reports).
Revival on Paramount+
- Streaming demand — fueled by Netflix’s acquisition of the original series — convinced Paramount+ to order a revival in February 2021 (Paramount+).
- The revival, titled Criminal Minds: Evolution, premiered on November 24, 2022 and moved production from CBS to a streaming budget model (Wikipedia).
The pattern: a cable show lives on through streaming. What this means: Criminal Minds is now a franchise built for binge-watching, with shorter seasons (10 episodes each) and tighter arcs.
Who Is the Longest Running Cast Member on Criminal Minds?
Original cast longevity
- Joe Mantegna (David Rossi) joined in Season 3 (2007) and has appeared in every season since, including the Evolution revival. He is the longest-running cast member overall (Paramount+ cast guide).
- Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia) has been with the show since the pilot episode and returned for Evolution (Paramount+).
- Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) first appeared in Season 2 and has been a mainstay on and off through the revival (Paramount+).
- Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) appeared in all 15 original seasons but did not return for Evolution (Wikipedia).
Revival-era cast
- The Season 19 cast includes Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, Adam Rodriguez, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, and RJ Hatanaka (TV Insider).
- Notable guest stars for Season 19 include Connor Storrie, Justin Kirk, Yvette Nicole Brown, Clark Gregg, and Jeri Ryan (Paramount+ sneak peek page).
The core ensemble — Rossi, Prentiss, JJ, and Garcia — provides continuity for a franchise that has changed networks and formats. New viewers can jump into Evolution without having watched every original episode.
The implication: The revival’s success hinges on this core group maintaining audience loyalty across platforms.
Why Is Reid Not in Season 19?
Matthew Gray Gubler’s departure
- Matthew Gray Gubler did not return for the Criminal Minds: Evolution revival (Wikipedia).
- No official reason for his absence has been publicly confirmed by Gubler, Paramount+, or the showrunner (TV Insider).
Character status
- In-universe, Spencer Reid is alive but not shown as an active member of the BAU team during Evolution (Wikipedia).
- Gubler has focused on other creative projects, including directing and voice work. He has not publicly ruled out a future return (Paramount+).
The catch: his absence leaves a gap for longtime fans, but the revival has built new dynamics around the remaining cast. A cameo is possible in a future season, but nothing is confirmed.
Are JJ and Reid Married in Real Life?
Actor relationships vs. fan speculation
- A.J. Cook (JJ Jareau) has been married to Nathan Andersen, a film editor, since 2001. They have two children (IMDb).
- Matthew Gray Gubler (Reid) is not married and has no public romantic relationship with Cook (IMDb).
- The characters JJ and Reid share a close platonic friendship on the show. There is no romantic storyline between them (Wikipedia).
- Fan shipping has created unfounded rumors of a real-life romance. Both actors have publicly dismissed these claims (IMDb).
The show’s emotional intimacy between JJ and Reid fuels fan theories, but the actors maintain a professional friendship. No real-world relationship exists.
The pattern: On-screen chemistry does not equal off-screen romance, a common misconception among dedicated fan bases.
Why Was Penelope Removed From Criminal Minds?
Kirsten Vangsness’ role in original run
- Penelope Garcia was never removed from the series. Kirsten Vangsness appeared in all 15 original seasons and returned as a main cast member for Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+ cast guide).
- Some confusion may come from the departure of other tech analyst characters, such as Kevin Lynch (played by Nicholas Brendon), who left during the original run (Wikipedia).
- Vangsness has confirmed in interviews that she enjoys returning to the role and sees Garcia as a beloved character (TV Insider).
The implication: Garcia remains a consistent fan-favorite presence. She is a key anchor across both the original and revival series.
Where Can You Stream Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds Evolution?
Here is where you can watch each version of the show:
| Platform | What’s available | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | All 15 original seasons | US (Netflix) |
| Paramount+ | Criminal Minds: Evolution Seasons 16–18 (and future seasons) | US and select international markets (Paramount+) |
| Disney+ | Criminal Minds original series | UK, Ireland, and some other international markets (Disney+) |
What this means: US viewers get the best combination — Netflix for the back catalog and Paramount+ for the new seasons. International fans should check local Disney+ or Paramount+ offerings.
The verdict: For existing viewers, Paramount+ is now the primary home for the franchise’s future.
Timeline: Criminal Minds from CBS to Paramount+
- September 22, 2005: Criminal Minds premieres on CBS (Wikipedia).
- 2007: Joe Mantegna joins the cast as David Rossi in Season 3 (Wikipedia).
- 2019: CBS announces Season 15 will be the final season (Wikipedia).
- February 19, 2020: Original series finale airs (Wikipedia).
- February 2021: Paramount+ announces revival order (Paramount+).
- November 24, 2022: Criminal Minds: Evolution (Season 16) premieres (Wikipedia).
- June 6, 2024: Evolution Season 2 (Season 17) premieres (Wikipedia).
- March 5, 2025: Season 19 renewal announced; Season 18 set for May 8, 2025 (Paramount+).
- 2027: Season 20 greenlit (TV Insider).
The pattern: The franchise has evolved from a traditional broadcast schedule to a streaming-first release model, with longer gaps between seasons but guaranteed multi-year commitments.
What’s Confirmed, What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Criminal Minds original series ran for 15 seasons (2005–2020).
- Criminal Minds: Evolution Seasons 16–18 are confirmed and airing/announced.
- Seasons 19 and 20 are officially greenlit.
- Matthew Gray Gubler did not return for the revival.
- Joe Mantegna is the longest-running cast member.
- Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) remains a main character.
What’s unclear
- Why Matthew Gray Gubler chose not to return (TV Insider).
- Exact premiere date for Season 20 (only “2027” known).
- Whether any other original cast members (e.g., Shemar Moore, Mandy Patinkin) will make guest appearances.
- Exact episode count for Seasons 18–20.
- Whether the franchise will continue beyond Season 20.
- Whether any additional original cast members will appear in guest roles in future seasons.
The takeaway: The confirmed facts far outweigh the unknowns, giving fans a clear picture of the franchise’s immediate future.
Quotes from Cast and Creators
“We’re thrilled to continue the BAU’s story. The fans have been incredible, and we can’t wait to bring them more cases.”
Paramount+ Press Express (official statement)
“Returning to the team felt like coming home. Penelope has so much more to say.”
Kirsten Vangsness in TV Insider (interview)
“The Evolution format allows us to tell deeper, serialized stories. Every season is a new chapter.”
Erica Messer (showrunner) via Variety
For fans waiting for the next chapter, the choice is clear: subscribe to Paramount+ to catch Season 18 in May 2025, or hold out for Season 19 in 2026. Joe Mantegna and the BAU team aren’t closing their doors anytime soon.
paramountplus.com, paramountplus.com, tvinsider.com, en.wikipedia.org, yahoo.com, au.variety.com, paramountplus.com, sky.com
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons of Criminal Minds are there total?
As of 2025, there are 17 aired seasons (15 original + 2 Evolution seasons). Seasons 18, 19, and 20 are confirmed but not yet aired (Wikipedia).
Why did Criminal Minds get canceled on CBS?
CBS canceled the series after 15 seasons due to declining ratings and high production costs. The final season aired in 2020 (Wikipedia).
Who is the longest-running character in Criminal Minds?
Joe Mantegna as David Rossi. He joined in Season 3 (2007) and has been in every season since (Paramount+).
What is the difference between Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds Evolution?
Evolution is the streaming revival on Paramount+ with longer, serialized story arcs instead of standalone episodes. The original series aired on CBS with a case-of-the-week format (Wikipedia).
Will Spencer Reid ever return in the revival?
Matthew Gray Gubler has not returned for Evolution. No official announcement has been made about a future return (TV Insider).
Where can I watch Criminal Minds online?
Original 15 seasons: Netflix (US), Disney+ (international markets). Evolution seasons: Paramount+ exclusively (Paramount+).
How many episodes are in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2?
Season 2 (Season 17 overall) consists of 10 episodes, following the streaming model (Wikipedia).
Is Criminal Minds coming back for Season 19?
Yes. Paramount+ renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 19th season on March 5, 2025. It premieres on May 28, 2026 (Paramount+).
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.