Criminal Minds is ending after 20 seasons — and the final season was already filmed before anyone knew
Criminal Minds: Evolution is bowing out on Paramount+, though exactly when it calls time is the detail you’ll want to clock.
Well, it had to happen eventually – Criminal Minds is finally bowing out. Again. Word just dropped that season 20 of Criminal Minds: Evolution will be the last, so if you were hoping for another miraculous rescue, don’t hold your breath.
‘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 in a statement announcing the show's end. ‘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.’
A Bit of a Sudden Finish
Apparently, this decision to pull the plug wasn’t part of some long-term plan. Deadline reports that the new leaders at Paramount+ made the call fairly recently. That’s left things in a bit of a muddle, because season 20 had already wrapped filming before all this got finalised. No one’s exactly sure if the last episode will offer closure or if fans will be left hanging, which is awkward given the series’ habit of going out with a bang (or a cliffhanger… take your pick).
‘We’re looking forward to sharing season 20 with everyone, and celebrating the legacy of this special show we’ve all built together.’ (Messer again, wrapping up her farewell message.)
From CBS to Streaming, and Back Again
The Criminal Minds saga kicked off in 2005, back when network crime dramas were all the rage, with viewers happily watching FBI profilers in the BAU track down serial killers of the week. Over time, the whole thing snowballed into a proper franchise, spawning two spin-offs: Suspect Behavior and Beyond Borders. Neither lasted nearly as long as the main event, but points for effort.
After a whopping 15 seasons on CBS, the show wrapped up in 2020. Well, "wrapped up" turned out to be wishful thinking. It was only a short break, really, before Paramount+ revived it under the new title Criminal Minds: Evolution and brought back a hefty chunk of the original squad. Joe Mantegna, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Paget Brewster and Kirsten Vangsness all returned for more, just trading the old formula for a more serialised arc this time round.
‘Criminal Minds began in 2005 and is finishing at season 20 after years on CBS and five more on Paramount+.’
- Season 20 will be the definitive end for Criminal Minds: Evolution.
- Most of the main cast are still present, but Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid) remains mostly absent, turning up only once for a fleeting cameo since the revival.
- No word yet on whether the surprise ending was planned, so your guess is as good as mine if we’re getting a proper farewell episode or another loose end to chew on.