According to Variety, the streaming platform has decided not to continue the series beyond Season 20. The decision comes despite strong viewership numbers and the show’s continued presence among Paramount+’s most-watched programs.
The cancellation marks the first official series cancellation under Paramount+’s new leadership. Casey Bloys, co-chair and chief content officer for Skydance Direct to Consumer, is overseeing the platform’s content strategy.
However, sources told Variety that the decision followed a recommendation from the previous Paramount+ leadership team. That team had already renewed the series for Season 20 in March, ahead of Season 19’s premiere.
Criminal Minds: Evolution ends despite strong ratings
The cancellation has surprised fans because Criminal Minds: Evolution continues to attract a substantial audience.
The series remains among Paramount+’s Top 10 programs. It also ranked No. 11 among the most-streamed titles of 2026, recording 13.15 billion minutes watched.
However, strong viewership has not guaranteed the show’s future. Reports suggest that production costs may have influenced the decision.
The series follows a broadcast-style procedural format but operates with a streaming production budget. Paramount+ has previously used a similar model for shows such as SEAL Team, Frasier and NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Those programs have also concluded.
Season 20 will not have a planned finale
The upcoming 20th season will serve as the show’s final chapter. Production wrapped this fall, and the season is expected to premiere in 2027.
However, the cast and crew reportedly did not know the series would end when they filmed the episodes. As a result, the creative team did not have an opportunity to prepare a deliberately planned series finale.
Showrunner and executive producer Erica Messer described the cancellation decision as sudden. She also reflected on the franchise’s lengthy television journey.
The cast reportedly learned about the decision as the news reached the public.
Kirsten Vangsness, who has portrayed Penelope Garcia throughout the franchise, revealed that she learned about the cancellation just 90 minutes before the announcement became public.
In an Instagram video, the actress expressed gratitude for her time on the show while sharing her emotional reaction to the news.
Criminal Minds franchise reaches 20 seasons
The original Criminal Minds premiered on CBS in 2005 and ran for 15 seasons before ending in 2020.
Paramount+ revived the franchise in 2022 with Criminal Minds: Evolution. The revival continued the stories of familiar characters while introducing new cases and threats.
With Season 20, the franchise will have completed 20 seasons across its CBS and Paramount+ runs.
That achievement places Criminal Minds among the longest-running drama franchises in American television history.
The franchise also expanded through two spinoffs. Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior premiered in 2011, while Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders ran from 2016 to 2017.
Although the upcoming season will bring the current series to an end, fans still have one final season to look forward to in 2027.
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