November 2, 2026, 12:44 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Over the years, investigators came and went, fan favorites bid farewell, and even after the supposed end, a comeback was achieved. But this time, there will be no further return. 2027 will mark the final chapter of “Criminal Minds,” ending a TV era of more than 20 years.
After more than two decades, the definitive end of “Criminal Minds” is set. The continuation “Criminal Minds: Evolution” will conclude with the upcoming 20th season, as reported by Variety. The final episodes are expected to air on Paramount+ in 2027. A specific premiere date has not yet been announced.
This marks the end of one of the longest-running crime series of recent decades. “Criminal Minds” premiered in 2005 on the U.S. network CBS and ran for 15 seasons in its original form. In 2022, it was revived as “Criminal Minds: Evolution” on the streaming service Paramount+.
After Five “Evolution” Seasons, It’s Over
The series centers on the Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU. This FBI unit uses criminal profiling to track down particularly dangerous criminals. The original series focused heavily on largely self-contained cases. In the continuation “Evolution,” however, the familiar characters are more involved in an overarching storyline, with the creators aiming more at a streaming audience than a TV one.
The 20th season of “Criminal Minds” is also the fifth season since its revival as “Evolution.” After that, it will be definitively over.
Showrunner Erica Messer looks back emotionally on the long history of the series as the announced end approaches. She emphasizes how much “Criminal Minds” has meant to the people involved in its production over the years. She also thanks the cast, writers, directors, crew, and especially the fans, whose loyalty has accompanied the series for such a long time.
The ensemble of the newer seasons still includes many familiar faces, such as Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, A.J. Cook as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Aisha Tyler as Tara Lewis, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss. Nevertheless, the end comes at a time when “Criminal Minds” has long since significantly diverged from the series of its early years.
A Crime Series Shapes More Than 20 Years of Television
Regardless of how one evaluates the later seasons, the longevity of “Criminal Minds” is remarkable. Few series manage to be aired, concluded, revived, and then continued again over such a long period.
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In 2027, this circle is set to close definitively with season 20. For Paramount+, the main task now is to give “Criminal Minds” a finale that does justice to its history after more than two decades.