Few TV crime procedurals have captured audience loyalty quite like Criminal Minds. With the revival on Paramount+ and a season 19 officially confirmed for May 28, 2026, the big question is: who’s returning to the BAU, and what happened behind the scenes? This article pulls together the facts on the cast’s future, the unresolved tensions, and the legacy of the series — all sourced from verified reports.

4 related posts

Original run: 2005–2020 · Revival: 2022–present (Evolution) · Total seasons: 17 (15 original + 2 Evolution) · Episodes: 344 · Spin-offs: 2 · Streaming: Paramount+

Quick snapshot

1Season 19 Status
2Cast Overview
  • Main cast changed across 17 seasons (Wikipedia)
  • Key original actors: Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook (Wikipedia)
  • Current Evolution cast includes Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, etc. (Paramount+)
3Behind-the-Scenes
4Fan Questions
  • JJ removed from main cast in season 6 due to budget, returned after backlash (Wikipedia)
  • Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook are not married (no evidence) (Wikipedia)
  • Mekhai Andersen (A.J. Cook’s real son) played JJ’s son Michael (Wikipedia)

Eight key facts, one pattern: the show’s longevity depends on a careful balance of cast continuity and fresh storylines.

The table below lays out the franchise’s vital statistics.

Label Value
Series title Criminal Minds
Created by Jeff Davis (Wikipedia)
Network (original) CBS (Wikipedia)
Original run September 22, 2005 – February 19, 2020 (Wikipedia)
Revival Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+ (2022–present) (The Hollywood Reporter)
Total seasons 17 (15 original + 2 Evolution) (Wikipedia)
Total episodes 344 (Wikipedia)
Spin-offs 2 (Suspect Behavior, Beyond Borders) (Wikipedia)
Why this matters

The renewal of season 19 and simultaneous season 20 greenlight tells fans that the BAU’s story on streaming is far from over — but with a serialized format and new cast dynamics, it’s a different show than the original.

Will there be a season 19 of Criminal Minds?

Yes — Paramount+ officially renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 19th season on March 5, 2025 (The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment industry trade publication). The new season premieres on May 28, 2026 (TV Insider, TV news and schedule site). In a surprising move, the streaming service also renewed the series for a 20th season ahead of the season 19 premiere (TV Insider).

Is Spencer Reid in season 19?

As of the latest cast announcements, Matthew Gray Gubler has not signed on for future seasons. The season 19 cast confirmed by Paramount+ (official streaming service) includes Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster — but notably not Gubler.

Will Reid or anyone else return in season 19?

There is no official word on Spencer Reid’s return. Other original cast members may appear in guest roles, but negotiations remain private. Zach Gilford, who was absent from early set photos in 2025, is expected back for season 19 according to Yahoo Entertainment (digital news and entertainment outlet).

Bottom line: Season 19 is happening, premieres May 28, 2026, and includes most of the current BAU cast — but Spencer Reid’s return remains uncertain.

Why did Criminal Minds stop?

The original series ended after season 15 in 2020 due to declining ratings and network changes on CBS (Wikipedia, general reference work). The show was cancelled by CBS, but the franchise found new life on Paramount+ with Criminal Minds: Evolution in 2022. Budget constraints and cast departures — including the exits of Shemar Moore in season 11 and Thomas Gibson after season 12 — influenced the decision to end the original run.

The pattern: a network procedural that survived 15 years on broadcast switched to a premium streaming model, trading case-of-the-week for serialized arcs (Entertainment Tonight, pop culture news outlet).

What happened between Shemar Moore and Thomas Gibson?

In 2016, Thomas Gibson was fired from Criminal Minds after an on-set altercation with a producer during rehearsal. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Gibson kicked the producer, leading to his dismissal. Shemar Moore later commented publicly on the incident, describing it as a regrettable situation. Moore had left the show earlier in season 11 but returned for guest appearances in later seasons.

The catch

The full details of the altercation between Moore and Gibson have never been publicly confirmed by both parties, leaving fans to speculate on the exact nature of the conflict.

The implication: the on-set drama contributed to the departure of two key actors, reshaping the BAU team and pushing the show toward an ensemble rotation that continued into the revival.

Are Spencer and JJ married in real life?

No. Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) and A.J. Cook (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau) are not married and have no romantic relationship off-screen. Both actors keep their personal lives private, but multiple entertainment outlets have confirmed they are just co-stars and friends (Wikipedia). The intense on-screen chemistry between their characters has fueled persistent fan shipping, but there is no evidence of a real-life romance.

Why did they write JJ off the show?

JJ was temporarily removed from the main cast during season 6 due to budget cuts at CBS. Fan backlash was immediate and vocal. She returned as a series regular in season 7 and has remained in the franchise ever since (Wikipedia, actor biography page).

Is JJ’s son in Criminal Minds her real son?

Yes. A.J. Cook’s real-life son, Mekhai Andersen, portrayed Michael LaMontagne, JJ’s son, in the series. This added authenticity to the scenes and was a popular detail among fans (Wikipedia).

What is the saddest death in Criminal Minds?

Fan discussions often highlight the deaths of Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Maeve (Beth Riesgraf), and Hotch’s wife Haley as the most heartbreaking moments in the series, though no official ranking exists.

Timeline

  • September 22, 2005 — Series premieres on CBS
  • February 19, 2020 — Original finale airs
  • November 24, 2022 — Evolution season 1 on Paramount+
  • June 6, 2024 — Evolution season 2 premieres
  • May 28, 2026 — Season 19 premiere (Paramount+)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Season 19 premieres May 28, 2026 on Paramount+ (Paramount+)
  • Thomas Gibson was fired after a 2016 on-set incident (The Hollywood Reporter)
  • Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook are not married (no evidence)
  • The revival uses a serialized format (Entertainment Tonight)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Matthew Gray Gubler will return for future seasons
  • Exact details of the Moore-Gibson altercation beyond public reports
  • Full cast for season 20

In their own words

“Paramount+ has renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for another season, marking the 19th season of the franchise.” — The Hollywood Reporter

“Criminal Minds: Evolution shifts from an episodic case-of-the-week format to a serialized 10-episode arc.” — Entertainment Tonight

For Paramount+, the decision to double-renew — season 19 and season 20 — signals a major commitment to the franchise. For fans, the implication is clear: the BAU will be around for at least another few years, but without some of the original faces that defined its identity.

Additional sources

criminalminds.fandom.com, imdb.com, countryliving.com, reddit.com, facebook.com, youtube.com

For a comprehensive breakdown of what to expect, check out this Criminal Minds season 19 guide that covers all the latest details.

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Frequently asked questions

How many seasons of Criminal Minds are there?

There are 17 seasons total: 15 original on CBS plus 2 seasons of Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+. Season 19 will be the 18th overall season of the franchise.

Where can I watch Criminal Minds?

The original series streams on Paramount+ in the US. Criminal Minds: Evolution is exclusive to Paramount+.

Is Criminal Minds: Evolution the same as season 19?

Yes. Criminal Minds: Evolution serves as the continuation of the franchise. Season 19 is the fourth season of the revival and is branded as Evolution.

Who is in the cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19?

Returning cast includes Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster.

Why did Thomas Gibson leave Criminal Minds?

He was fired after a physical altercation with a producer during a rehearsal in 2016.

Are Spencer and JJ together in real life?

No. Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook are not married and have confirmed they are just friends.

What is the saddest episode of Criminal Minds?

Fans often cite “Zugzwang” (Maeve’s death), “The Big Finish” (Gideon’s death), and “100” (Haley’s death) as the most emotional episodes.

Is there a Korean version of Criminal Minds?

Yes, a Korean adaptation aired on tvN in 2017, running for one season.