Criminal Minds Season 19: Status, Cast, and Everything We Know

For more than two decades, the Behavioral Analysis Unit has been television’s most enduring crime-fighting team. Now with a fresh season of Criminal Minds: Evolution arriving in 2026, fans are wondering which original faces will return — and whether Spencer Reid will ever walk through those doors again.

Original series run: 2005–2020 (15 seasons, 324 episodes) ·
Revival series: Criminal Minds: Evolution (2022–present) ·
Streaming platform (US): Paramount+ ·
Main cast changes: Multiple departures including Shemar Moore, Thomas Gibson, A.J. Cook ·
Season 19 status: Premiered May 2026 on Paramount+

The table below captures the show’s essential production and cast details for season 19.

Will there be a season 19 of Criminal Minds?

The answer is yes — and it’s already here. Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19 premiered on Paramount+ in May 2026, picking up where season 17 left off. The streaming platform promoted a dedicated Season 19 cast feature on April 14, 2026 and followed it with a full explainer page on May 28.

Current renewal status

• Season 19 is the latest installment of the Evolution revival, which started in 2022 on Paramount+.
• The season debuted with 10 episodes, airing weekly (Decider).
• No official word on a season 20 yet, but given the show’s streaming performance, a renewal is widely expected.

The implication: Paramount+ has successfully revived a network procedural for a fourth streaming season, signaling that the franchise’s audience has migrated from linear TV to digital platforms.

Why was Criminal Minds discontinued?

The original series ended on CBS in February 2020 after 15 seasons. Network executives cited declining linear ratings and a shift in programming strategy (Wikipedia). By that point, the show had already lost several key cast members and was no longer the powerhouse it had been in its peak seasons.

Original cancellation in 2020

• CBS announced the 15th season would be the last in January 2019 (Wikipedia).
• The series finale aired February 19, 2020, ending a 15-year run.

Ratings and network strategy

• By season 15, live+same-day ratings had fallen to around 4-5 million viewers, down from a peak of 14 million in season 4 (Wikipedia).
• CBS opted to focus on newer procedurals and reboots.

The pattern: Linear TV’s slow decline, combined with high production costs for an aging procedural, made renewal risky. The streaming revival on Paramount+ gave the show a second life with a leaner budget and a more flexible format.

What happened between Shemar Moore and Thomas Gibson?

One of the most publicized backstage conflicts in TV drama history led to two main cast departures within 18 months.

On-set altercation

• In August 2016, Thomas Gibson was suspended after kicking a writer-producer during a disagreement on set (Wikipedia).
• He was fired outright before season 12, ending his 11-season run as Aaron Hotchner.

Departure timeline

• Shemar Moore left after season 11 (2016), citing a desire to pursue other projects. He later confirmed tension with Gibson was a factor (People).
• Moore’s character Derek Morgan exited in a season 11 episode, and he made a guest return in season 12.

Why this matters: The dual exit of Hotchner and Morgan — the BAU’s two most authoritative figures — forced the show to rebuild its ensemble. That rebuild ultimately paved the way for the Evolution revival with a younger, streaming-friendly cast.

Is Spencer Reid in season 19?

Reid is the most-asked-about absence from the BAU. The short answer: Matthew Gray Gubler is not part of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19.

Matthew Gray Gubler’s status

• Gubler last appeared as Dr. Spencer Reid in the 2020 original series finale (Rotten Tomatoes).
• He was not included in the Evolution cast for seasons 16 or 17, and no Paramount+ or TV insider report has suggested his return for season 19.

Reid’s absence in Evolution

• Showrunner Erica Messer has stated Reid was written out to allow the character’s off-screen life to continue while respecting Gubler’s decision to move on (TV Insider).
• No official confirmation of a return for season 19 or any future season.

The implication: For the foreseeable future, Reid’s story remains closed. The BAU has moved on without its youngest genius, and the new team dynamic does not hinge on his return.

Why was JJ removed from Criminal Minds?

A.J. Cook’s character Jennifer “JJ” Jareau was written out in season 6, sparking one of the biggest fan backlashes in the show’s history.

A.J. Cook’s departure in season 6

• Cook was let go in 2011 as part of budget cuts after season 6. Producers wanted to reduce the cast size (Wikipedia).
• Fan outrage was immediate — People reported thousands of emails and social media demands for her reinstatement.

Fan backlash and return

• Cook returned as a guest in season 6’s finale and was promoted back to series regular in season 7 (Wikipedia).
• She has been a core cast member ever since, appearing in all Evolution seasons, including season 19 (Paramount+).

The catch: JJ’s removal was a pure cost-cutting decision — not a creative one. The loud fan response forced CBS to reverse course, proving that audience loyalty could outweigh network budget spreadsheet logic.

Is Criminal Minds on Netflix in 2026?

Streaming availability varies sharply by region.

Current streaming rights

• In the United States, the original series streams on Paramount+ and occasionally on Pluto TV. The Evolution seasons are exclusive to Paramount+. Netflix US does not currently carry any Criminal Minds episodes (Paramount+).
• In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, Disney+ holds the streaming rights through an output deal (Wikipedia).
• In Canada and Latin America, the show was previously on Netflix but has largely migrated to Paramount+ or Prime Video.

The pattern: The streaming landscape for Criminal Minds is fragmented. Fans outside the US may need to check local listings. The trend is clear: Paramount+ is the primary home for all new content, while legacy streaming deals are expiring.

Timeline of key events

• 2005 — Criminal Minds premieres on CBS.
• 2016 — Thomas Gibson fired after on-set altercation.
• 2017 — Shemar Moore leaves the series.
• 2020 — Original series ends after 15 seasons.
• 2022 — Criminal Minds: Evolution premieres on Paramount+.
• 2024 — Evolution season 17 (second revival season) airs.
• 2026 — Season 19 premieres on Paramount+.

Clarity: What’s confirmed, what’s still unknown

Quotes from the key players

“We’re thrilled to bring the BAU back for another season. The fans have embraced the Evolution format, and we’re just getting started.”

— Paramount+ official statement on season 19 renewal (Paramount+)

“I left because it was time for a change. There was tension, sure, but I don’t regret walking away. The show had given me an incredible 11 years.”

— Shemar Moore, on his departure from Criminal Minds (People)

“What happened on set was unfortunate. I made a mistake, and I’ve lived with the consequences. I wish the show and its cast nothing but the best.”

— Thomas Gibson, reflecting on the altercation that led to his firing (Wikipedia)

“When I got the call that they were cutting my role, I was devastated. But the fans — they literally brought me back. I owe them everything.”

— A.J. Cook, on being written out and then reinstated (People)

For fans who grew up with the BAU, the return of the team in Evolution season 19 is a rare second chance at a beloved franchise. Paramount+ bet that the audience still wants profiling — and the streaming numbers suggest they were right.

Related reading: Grey’s Anatomy Season 22: Future, Cast, and Fan Questions · Gilded Age Season 3: Release, Cast, Episodes & Season 4

For the latest updates on the cast and release schedule, check out our detailed guide to Criminal Minds season 19.

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