Criminal Minds: Evolution Canceled at Paramount+ as Final Season Nears
Seven Lights
Paramount+ is cancelling “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” ending the crime procedural with its 20th and final season and closing a franchise that has run, in two iterations, for two decades. Cast members reacted to the news on Sunday.
Paget Brewster, who plays Behavioural Analysis Unit chief Emily Prentiss, posted a selfie on social media with the words “Free Agent…” Kirsten Vangsness, the analyst Penelope Garcia of the series, wrote on Instagram that her “heart fireworks in appreciation for the time at this job” and her “cohorts at fake murder camp.” In a video she noted the wording of the announcement: “It’s being canceled, but then it says right there, ‘It’s ending for now.’”
Vangsness added that showrunner Erica Messer has said there are “so many more stories to tell,” and that the cast would welcome continuing them elsewhere. RJ Hatanaka, who plays Special Agent Tyler Green, shared a cast photo captioned “Just the finest group of people.”
The series ran for 15 seasons on CBS from 2006 to 2020 before Paramount+ revived it as “Evolution” in 2022. Deadline reported the cancellation on Friday, noting it was the first under Casey Bloys, the chief executive appointed by Skydance, and was recommended by the previous Paramount+ regime. The Hollywood Reporter said the police procedural will end after the forthcoming 20th season, its total run spanning both network and streaming.
Showrunner Erica Messer said in a statement: “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.”
The cancellation follows the common pattern of long-running procedurals on streaming services, where licensing and production costs weigh against enduring audience loyalty. No announcement was made about the remaining episodes’ release date beyond their place as the concluding season.