Paramount+ has announced that Criminal Minds: Evolution will conclude with its upcoming 20th season, bringing the long-running crime drama franchise to an end after two decades on television, according to The Hollywood Reporter and People. The final season is scheduled to premiere in 2027, although an exact release date has not been confirmed. The announcement, made on October 30, 2026, was accompanied by first-look images from the forthcoming episodes, marking the final chapter for one of television’s longest-running procedural dramas. The decision brings the franchise’s journey from its original CBS broadcast to its revival on Paramount+ towards its conclusion.
Originally launched on CBS in 2005, Criminal Minds followed an elite team of FBI profilers in the Behavioural Analysis Unit as they investigated complex criminal cases by studying the psychology and behavioural patterns of offenders. The original series ran for 15 seasons before concluding in 2020. It returned in 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+, continuing the story with a more serialised approach across five additional seasons. Longtime cast members Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster are expected to return for the final instalment, alongside R.J. Hatanaka.
Showrunner and executive producer Erica Messer expressed gratitude to the cast, writers, directors, production crew and global audience whose loyalty sustained the franchise across its two runs. In a statement reported by TheWrap, she described the ending as an emotional moment for the creative team while expressing excitement about sharing the final season with viewers and celebrating the show’s legacy. With more than 300 episodes produced across its run, Criminal Minds leaves behind a significant television legacy built around crime investigation, psychological profiling and the enduring appeal of its central ensemble.
