'Criminal Minds: Evolution' to Conclude After 20 Seasons
Paramount+ announced the series finale date for the long-running crime drama, with cast members expressing surprise at the abrupt ending.
Paramount+ will conclude the crime drama "Criminal Minds: Evolution" in 2027, marking the end of its 20-season run across broadcast and streaming. The decision has reportedly come as a surprise to some members of the cast.
The series, which originally premiered on CBS in 2005 as "Criminal Minds" before being revived as "Criminal Minds: Evolution" on Paramount+ in 2022, will air its final episodes in 2027. The upcoming season will feature the return of original cast members Joe Mantegna, AJ Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster.
Kirsten Vangsness, who has portrayed technical analyst Penelope Garcia throughout the show's two-decade history, shared her reaction to the news on social media. Vangsness stated in an Instagram video that she learned of the cancellation just 90 minutes before it was publicly announced. She described her feelings as "bittersweet," comparing the situation to a moment in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" where a gift is received with mixed emotions. Vangsness also expressed a desire to continue the show, noting that showrunner Erica Messer believes there are still many stories to tell.
Other cast members have also shared their sentiments. RJ Hatanaka, who plays FBI agent Tyler Green, posted a group photo of the cast on Instagram, calling them "the finest group of people." Aisha Tyler, portraying Dr. Tara Lewis, reposted Hatanaka's photo, adding, "Family for life." Tyler also shared an article highlighting "Criminal Minds" as one of the most-streamed titles of 2026, with the show accumulating 13.15 billion minutes watched.
AJ Cook, who has played Jennifer "JJ" Jareau since the series' inception, also shared Hatanaka's photo, expressing her deep affection for her castmates.
The original "Criminal Minds" series followed FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit as they investigated criminals by examining their psychological profiles. The show concluded its initial run in early 2020 before its revival on Paramount+.
The franchise previously spawned two spin-offs: "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" in 2011 and "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders," which ran from 2016 to 2017.
Earlier this year, cast member Paget Brewster publicly criticized a Screen Rant reviewer for a negative review of the series, arguing that such critiques could jeopardize the jobs of the show's crew.