Criminal Minds Season 19 Premieres May 28, 2026 on Paramount+

Premiere date: May 28, 2026 ·
Returning core cast: 8 actors ·
New additions: 7 guest/recurring ·
Streaming platform: Paramount+

Six key facts, one pattern: the season 19 roster shows a deliberate effort to blend trusted BAU stalwarts with fresh blood. While names like Mantegna and Brewster anchor continuity, newcomers such as Clark Gregg and Yvette Nicole Brown signal the franchise’s ambition to evolve beyond its CBS roots.

Will there be a season 19 of Criminal Minds?

Yes—and it’s already streaming. Season 19 of Criminal Minds is the third season of the revived Criminal Minds: Evolution, which moved from CBS to Paramount+ in 2022. The latest installment premiered on May 28, 2026, according to the Paramount+ official page.

When does Criminal Minds Season 19 release?

The first two episodes dropped on May 28, 2026, with remaining episodes released weekly after that, as reported by People (entertainment news outlet). The season is currently streaming exclusively on Paramount+.

Why was Criminal Minds discontinued?

The original Criminal Minds ended its 15-season run on CBS in 2020. The cancellation was driven by declining linear ratings as the network shifted its programming strategy. But the show’s passionate streaming audience led to a revival just two years later, rebranded as Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+.

Why did Criminal Minds end after season 15?

CBS faced increasing competition from streaming services, and ratings for the network’s long-running procedurals had gradually slipped. The final original episode aired in February 2020, wrapping up the series with a bittersweet finale. (No direct CBS statement is available in our sources; the timeline is widely documented in entertainment media.)

How does Criminal Minds: Evolution differ from the original?

The revival adopted a serialized story arc format rather than the classic case-of-the-week structure. Seasons are shorter — 10 episodes each — and the show leans into darker, more psychological narratives that follow a single threat across multiple episodes. The shift to Paramount+ also allows for more mature content, with the streaming platform granting the writers greater creative freedom.

The pattern: the revival’s serialized format represents a fundamental shift in how the BAU’s stories are told, trading episodic familiarity for immersive narrative arcs.

Is Spencer Reid in season 19?

No. Matthew Gray Gubler’s character, Dr. Spencer Reid, has not appeared in any of the Evolution seasons. The actor has not been announced for season 19 either, and neither the Paramount+ cast list nor the Rotten Tomatoes season 19 page includes his name.

Why is Matthew Gray Gubler not returning for season 19?

Gubler cited scheduling conflicts and a desire to explore other creative projects when he did not join the Paramount+ revival. While the door has been left open by showrunner Erica Messer, no formal discussions have been confirmed. Reid’s character remains alive in the show’s universe, so a future appearance is possible, but not in season 19.

Could Reid appear in Criminal Minds: Evolution?

Technically yes — the series has not killed off Reid. But according to the available official sources, there is no current plan to bring him back. For now, the BAU’s core includes Mantegna, Brewster, and Tyler, with no sign of the beloved genius.

Are Spencer and JJ married in real life?

No. Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) and A.J. Cook (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau) are professional colleagues and friends, not romantic partners. The on-screen chemistry between their characters has led some fans to speculate, but there is no real-life marriage.

Do Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook have a relationship?

Both actors are private about their personal lives. Public records and interviews confirm they have never been married to each other. Gubler has never married, and Cook has been married to a different partner since 2001. The fictional relationship between JJ and Reid is a narrative device — not reality.

Why did JJ leave Criminal Minds?

A.J. Cook’s character, Jennifer Jareau, was briefly written out of the original series in 2011 (season 5) due to budget cuts. She returned later in the same season as a recurring character and was eventually reinstated as a full-time cast member. Cook remains part of the Evolution cast through season 19.

Why was JJ removed from Criminal Minds?

Budget constraints at CBS led to Cook’s temporary departure. The move was controversial among fans and was partially reversed once the show’s financial situation stabilized.

Did A.J. Cook leave the show?

She left temporarily in 2011 but returned. Cook has confirmed in interviews that she enjoys playing JJ and has no current plans to leave. She is confirmed as a core cast member of season 19 on the Paramount+ season 19 page.

What is the Criminal Minds cast for season 19?

The confirmed returning main cast includes Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis), Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez), Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia), A.J. Cook (Jennifer Jareau), and Zach Gilford (Deputy Director Elias Voit). New additions for season 19 include Connor Storrie, Clark Gregg, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jeri Ryan, and recurring guest stars Cress Williams, Kofi Siriboe, Lyndon Smith, and Richard Cabral, as announced by Paramount+. Nicole Pacent returns as prosecutor Rebecca Wilson, and Paul F. Tompkins is back as Brian Garrity.

Are Shemar Moore and Kirsten Vangsness returning?

Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia) is returning as part of the core cast. Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) is not listed in any season 19 cast announcement. Moore left the original series in 2017 and has not appeared in the Evolution run.

The pattern: the season 19 cast deliberately balances legacy actors with newcomers, ensuring continuity while signaling the franchise’s streaming-era ambitions.

Season 19 timeline

Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear

The catch: while the confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, the unclear items — particularly regarding Reid and Moore — leave room for future surprises or continued absences that define the Evolution era.

What the showrunner and cast have said

We’re thrilled to bring the BAU back for another season with this incredible cast, and we’re excited about the new faces joining the team. The stories this season are some of the most personal we’ve ever told.

Erica Messer, showrunner (paraphrased from press materials)

I’ve really enjoyed the direction the show has taken on Paramount+. It allows us to tell deeper stories and really get into the minds of the characters in a way we couldn’t on network television.

Joe Mantegna (in a TV Insider interview, May 2026)

For the BAU’s dedicated fanbase, the choices ahead are clear. Newcomers to the franchise can start with Evolution season 1 and experience the modern serialized arc. Long-time fans who miss the classic case-of-the-week format may find the new structure a departure, but the return of beloved characters provides a familiar anchor. For viewers invested in the future of FBI profiler dramas, the trade-off is straightforward: Evolution offers a deeper, darker take, but at the cost of comfort food television. In the streaming era, that’s a bargain most crime drama fans will accept. Mantegna’s continued presence as Rossi ensures the franchise’s legacy endures, while the new faces like Gregg and Brown signal where the show is heading.