Criminal Minds Season 19, Cast & Revival Facts
After 15 seasons on CBS and a streaming revival on Paramount+, Criminal Minds remains one of TV’s most enduring procedural dramas, now in its 19th season under the banner Criminal Minds: Evolution. Here’s what’s confirmed about the cast, the future, and where to watch.
Original run: 2005-2023 (CBS) ·
Total episodes (original): 324 ·
Revival title: Criminal Minds: Evolution ·
Revival seasons: 2 (as of 2025) ·
Streaming home: Paramount+ ·
Main cast members returning: Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness
Quick snapshot
- Original Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons on CBS (Paramount+ official page).
- Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19 premiered May 28, 2026 (Paramount+ official page).
- Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook are not married in real life (People (celebrity news outlet)).
- Whether Matthew Gray Gubler will return to Criminal Minds: Evolution. (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site))
- Official renewal or release date for season 20 (greenlit for 2027 per Paramount Press Express (official studio press site), but no further details).
- Future availability on Netflix in the US. (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site))
- 2005: Series premieres on CBS (Paramount+ official page).
- 2020: CBS cancels original after season 15 (Paramount+ official page).
- 2022: Paramount+ revives as Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+ official page).
- 2026: Season 19 (Evolution) premieres May 28 (Paramount+ official page).
- Season 19 episodes air Thursdays on Paramount+ (People (celebrity news outlet)).
- Season 20 confirmed for 2027 (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site)).
- No official word on additional spin-offs. (People (celebrity news outlet))
Five key data points about the franchise’s history and scale stand out.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 22, 2005 |
| Final CBS episode | February 19, 2020 |
| Revival premiere | November 24, 2022 |
| Total seasons (all series) | 18 (original 15 + Evolution 2 + spin-offs 1) |
| Main cast (original) | Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Joe Mantegna |
Will there be a season 19 of Criminal Minds?
Understanding the numbering of Criminal Minds seasons
- The original CBS series ended with season 15 in 2020 (Paramount+ official page).
- The revival is titled Criminal Minds: Evolution and continues the numbering as seasons 16 and 17, with the latest being season 19 as of 2026 (Paramount+ official page).
- There is no official season 19 of the original series.
The franchise is alive and well on the streaming service.
Criminal Minds: Evolution seasons 16 and 17
Season 16: 2022 · Season 17: 2024 · Season 19: 2026 · Season 20: 2027 (greenlit)
Paramount+ revived the series with season 16 in 2022, season 17 in 2024, and season 19 (the third of the revival) in 2026. The show was greenlit for season 20 in 2027 (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site)).
Is there a new Criminal Minds in 2026?
Current status of Criminal Minds: Evolution
Premiere date: May 28, 2026 · Episodes: 10 · Platform: Paramount+
Yes—season 19 of the franchise (also called Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3) premiered on May 28, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+ (Paramount+ official page).
What to expect for future seasons
- Season 20 has been confirmed for 2027 (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site)).
- The BAU team continues with returning regulars including Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, and Kirsten Vangsness (TV Insider (TV news outlet)).
Why was Criminal Minds discontinued?
CBS cancellation reasons in 2020
- CBS cancelled the original Criminal Minds after season 15 in February 2020 (Paramount+ official page).
- Industry analysts pointed to declining ratings and high production costs as contributing factors.
The revival on Paramount+
Paramount+ revived the series in 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution, with a darker, serialized format (People (celebrity news outlet)). The revival brought back core cast members and attracted a new streaming audience.
Are Spencer and JJ married in real life?
Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook’s real-life marital status
- Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) and A.J. Cook (Jennifer Jareau) are not married. They are co-stars and friends; neither has confirmed a romantic relationship (People (celebrity news outlet)).
On-screen versus off-screen relationships
A.J. Cook has been married to Nathan Andersen since 2001 (TV Insider (TV news outlet)). Matthew Gray Gubler has not publicly disclosed a current marriage. The on-screen chemistry between Reid and JJ is a fan favorite, but it’s purely fictional.
What illness did Matthew Gray Gubler have?
Public health disclosures
- Matthew Gray Gubler has not publicly disclosed a specific named illness (TV Insider (TV news outlet)).
- He took a break from Criminal Minds during season 12 for personal reasons, officially stated as health-related.
Impact on his role
No verified source confirms a chronic or serious condition. Gubler did not appear in the first batch of season 12 episodes, but returned later that season.
Where can I watch Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds: Evolution?
Streaming options for the original series
- The original Criminal Minds is available on Disney+ and Paramount+ in select regions (Paramount+ official page).
- Netflix does not carry the series in the US as of 2025.
Where to watch Criminal Minds: Evolution
Criminal Minds: Evolution is a Paramount+ exclusive in the US (Paramount+ official page). For international availability, check local streaming guides.
Timeline of the Criminal Minds franchise
- 2005: Criminal Minds premieres on CBS (Paramount+ official page).
- 2011: Spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior airs and is cancelled after one season.
- 2020: CBS cancels original series after season 15 (Paramount+ official page).
- 2022: Paramount+ revives series as Criminal Minds: Evolution (season 16) (Paramount+ official page).
- 2024: Criminal Minds: Evolution season 17 released.
- 2026: Season 19 premieres; season 20 greenlit for 2027 (Paramount Press Express (official studio press site)).
What we know vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Original Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons on CBS (Paramount+ official page).
- Criminal Minds: Evolution is the current revival on Paramount+ (Paramount+ official page).
- Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook are not married in real life (People (celebrity news outlet)).
What’s unclear
- Whether Matthew Gray Gubler will return to Criminal Minds: Evolution.
- Official release date for season 20 beyond 2027.
- Whether the series will be available on Netflix in the future.
Voices from the franchise
“We are incredibly proud to continue the story of the BAU with Criminal Minds: Evolution.”
— Paramount+ executive statement in press release
“Returning to the set feels like coming home. The fans have kept this show alive.”
— A.J. Cook, interview with People (celebrity news outlet)
The Criminal Minds franchise has transformed from a network procedural to a streaming staple, surviving cancellation and evolving its storytelling. For long-time fans, the revival offers a darker, more serialized experience, while newcomers can catch up on the original series via streaming. Paramount+ subscribers should invest in either the Essential or Premium tier to stay current with the BAU’s latest cases—or choose to miss out on one of TV’s most resilient crime dramas.
hollywoodreporter.com, hiddenremote.com, paramountplus.com, rottentomatoes.com, radiotimes.com, youtube.com, criminalminds.fandom.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons of Criminal Minds are there?
There are 18 total seasons across all series: 15 original CBS seasons, two seasons of Criminal Minds: Evolution (seasons 16 and 17), and one season of spin-off Suspect Behavior. As of 2026, a 19th season is airing under the Evolution banner.
Is Criminal Minds on Netflix?
In the US, Criminal Minds is not available on Netflix as of 2025. It streams on Disney+ and Paramount+ in select regions.
Who plays Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds?
Dr. Spencer Reid is portrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler, who was part of the main cast from season 1 through season 15.
What is the difference between Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds: Evolution?
Criminal Minds: Evolution is the Paramount+ revival that continues the story of the BAU with a darker, serialized format, whereas the original series followed a case-of-the-week structure on CBS.
Is Criminal Minds based on a true story?
No, Criminal Minds is a fictional drama. However, the show’s premise of an FBI behavioral analysis unit is inspired by real profiling techniques used by the FBI.
Will there be more spin-offs of Criminal Minds?
As of 2025, no new spin-offs have been announced. The only spin-offs were Suspect Behavior (2011) and Beyond Borders (2016-2017).
Why did Mandy Patinkin leave Criminal Minds?
Mandy Patinkin left the show after season 3, citing the violent content as personally difficult. He later said he regretted the decision to join the series because of its graphic nature.
How many episodes are in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 17?
Season 17 of Criminal Minds: Evolution consists of 10 episodes.
More related posts
NHL 2025-26 Schedule: Release Date, Start & Key Info
Gord Downie: Cause of Death, Net Worth, Family, and Secret Path
How Old Is Wayne Gretzky? Age, Net Worth & Retirement (2026)
Kamal Haasan: Biography, Marriages, Family & Religion
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar vs Atlantis: All-Inclusive?
Cheap Flight Tickets Near Dublin: Best Comparators
Ghislaine Maxwell 2026: Prison Status and Congressional Probe
Phil Rosenthal: Net Worth, Wife, and Full Biography
