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"Life had other plans" is a line that applies very often in television regarding why actors choose to leave a successful and popular show on their own accord. Sometimes you have no choice if the creatives decide to go in another direction story-wise and have your character written out permanently, while other times the mistreatment from crew and cast members force you to get out there as fast as possible — like in the case of Afton Williamson whose treatment was as gross and infuriating as it gets when she was on ABC's police procedural, "The Rookie."

Luckily, Jennifer Love Hewitt's exit from the long-running and beloved crime drama, "Criminal Minds," after one season was as sweet and amicable as possible. The "I Know What You Did Last Summer" actress played Katherine "Kate" Callahan, an experienced FBI agent, who joined the Behavioural Analyst Unit (Bau) in the show's tenth season and appeared for 23 episodes.

Big broadcast TV franchises are back in the spotlight lately, with many programs welcoming folks back to primetime viewing, and familiar faces are making their way to streaming. Unfortunately for some long-tenured fans, this interest in big ratings winners of the previous decade, like the "CSI" shows and NBC's connected "Chicago"-verse, has not brought every single massive star along for the ride. Imagine being a lapsed "Criminal Minds" fan who fell off following the show every week, but wanted to tune in for the new seasons on Paramount+, and being confronted with the absence of Shemar Moore's Derek Morgan. He left the show back in season 11, and he did it to see what else he could accomplish in the acting space beyond being a fan-favorite on this long-running procedural.

"Criminal Minds" fans had grown to love Derek Morgan's steadying presence on the procedural during the middle of the show's run,...

It looks like a famous Star Trek alum is about to beam on board a popular crime drama in a mystery role!

Star Trek actors have often done well avoiding being typecast outside of the franchise. William Shatner struggled for years to escape the shadow of Kirk but succeeded with T.J. Hooker and Boston Legal. Other actors have done well with non-Trek roles, and while still connected to the franchise, stand on their own.

One of the best examples is Jeri Ryan. Before Star Trek: Voyager, her biggest role was on the short-lived NBC sci-fi drama Dark Skies. It was her turn as Seven of Nine that boosted Ryan to fame, and her portrayal of the former Borg made her an instant sci-fi fan favorite.

Since Voyager ended, Ryan has stayed busy on TV. She’s had roles on Boston Public, Shark, Body of Proof, Leverage, and Bosch, along with numerous guest star roles.

Criminal Minds: Evolutionshowrunner and executive producer Erica Messer confirms that a TV legend has joined season 4. In the finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, the Bau seemingly bids farewell to Zach Gilford's Elias Voit and looks ahead to what's next. For arguably the first time in the Paramount+ revival's history, there isn't a massive cliffhanger to address.

The path for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 may be a little clearer now, as Messer confirms to TVLinethat veteran actress Jeri Ryan has joined the show. Although exact details about who Ryan will be playing are not known, Messer talks in the quote below about how Ryan's iconic Star Trek connects her to the Paramount+ crime drama:

“Jeri had worked with the director of the premiere, Doug Aarniokoski, for years on Star Trek, so they’ve known one another. ... But yeah, Jeri is amazing.”

What This Means For Criminal Minds: Evolution...

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 episode 10 aired on July 10, 2025, on Paramount+, but unfortunately, the anticipated explosive finale generated mixed feelings about the endings to the Voit, Serial Killer Network, and Disciple cases. While some enjoyed the Bau's takedown, others found it underwhelming and disappointing. If that didn't frustrate fans enough, Erica Messer confirmed another season-long unsub is in store for season 4.

Although I enjoyed the finale and seeing Voit flip the script, I can't ignore that it felt a little underwhelming than expected. After spending so much time focused on Voit, his story ended bleakly and predictably. The Bau deserves to be free of Voit, but in a twist of fate, they feel sorry for him in the end. Although I wished for this outcome for Voit, it still lacked the shock value that leads me to think Voit will end up killing someone else due to his wavering thoughts between good and evil.

After playing the role of Matt Simmons, former Criminal Minds star Daniel Henney had since become one of the stars of Amazon's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. With The Wheel of Time now declared to be canceled at Prime Video, fans may be speculating that Henney will return in the upcoming fourth season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. However, fans should not get excited, as the idea of that happening has been shut down.

Series showrunner Erica Messer commented to TVLine on the possibility of Henney returning as Simmons in Season 4 of Criminal Minds: Evolution, which serves as the 19th season overall for Criminal Minds. While the actor might have a more open schedule, the problem is that the season has already been mapped out. The door has seemingly been left open for a possible return beyond the new season, but Messer emphasized that it's just not going to be...

Criminal Minds: Evolutionshowrunner and executive producer Erica Messer explains why one former main cast member won't return. Even though the crime drama recently wrapped up its third installment, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 is confirmed. It will likely feature the return of all the current Bau agents, with the wildcard Voit (Zach Gilford) still in play.

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 did feature the return of Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid, coming back briefly to offer emotional support to JJ (Aj Cook) at her husband's funeral, which has reinvigorated discussions about whether other former Criminal Minds actors could potentially make their way back for the Paramount+ revival.

In comments to TVLine, Messer discussed why fans shouldn't expect Daniel Henney to reprise the role of Matt Simmons next season. Even though Henney's time with The Wheel of Time has come to an end, after the cancellation of the Prime Video fantasy series,...

Yes, The Wheel of Time stopped turning — but not soon enough to allow for an awaited Criminal Minds comeback.

Three years ago, when the cast was first announced for Criminal Minds: Evolution, fans wondered why Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid and Daniel Henney’s Matt Simmons were not among the returning Special Agents. (S.W.A.T. star Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan had bid the Bau adieu by the time the original CBS crime drama ended.)

More from TVLineCasting News: Shark Tank Reels In Chip & Joanna, Traitors Champ Hosts Dating Show and MoreBrilliant Minds Adds Bellamy Young as Oliver's [Spoiler] in...

The season finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution just aired and fans might have questions about Zach Gilford‘s fate on the show after that episode!

The 43-year-old actor joined the franchise in season 16, the first season of Criminal Minds with the new subtitle Evolution. After recurring that season, he became a series regular as Elias Voit for seasons 17 and 18.

Now, it’s been confirmed that Zach will definitely be back for the upcoming 19th season.

Keep reading to find out more…

“The more we talked, we thought we had one more season to really explore some other stuff with him and the team,” showrunner and executive producer Erica Messer told EW. “You’re going to see him in every episode of season 19. He is a prisoner again, but in a very different way than he was in season 17. He will be a resource for us.”

Voit was arrested in the...

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 will focus on a long-overdue character, confirms showrunner Erica Messer. To date, the procedural has done a pretty good job of balancing its cast, and giving them mini arcs and problems to overcome, but then season 3 got bogged down with the Voit amnesia plot twist, and the quest to take down The Disciple.

Because of this, some characters felt a little sidelined, and didn't get to do as much as they should have throughout the course of the season. In fact, there is one Criminal Minds: Evolution character in particular who deserves a personal arc in the coming season, and who has been long overdue a focused storyline.

Per TVLine, Messer was asked about whether viewers can expect any personal arcs for Luke or Penelope in season 4, and confirmed that the former will be the subject of focus. She talked about how Luke is overdue a strong story,...

Criminal Minds: Evolution showrunner Erica Messer has discussed the possibility of having more original guest stars, following legacy actor Matthew Gray Gubler's season 3 cameo. Gubler cameoed as his fan favorite Criminal Minds character Dr. Spencer Reid in the season's third episode, attending Will's funeral to support JJ.

While the character did not appear again, it was a nod back to the original show, and presented the possibility of further Spencer appearances in later seasons. It has also generated discussion about the chances of other cast members from the original 15-season run of Criminal Minds possibly making appearances.

Per TV Insider, Messer discussed how great it was to have Gubler back on the show, albeit in a cameo role, and the possibility of more appearances from legacy actors from the Og Criminal Minds run. She admits that while they would love to welcome guest stars like Gubler back, they couldn't commit to it.

Criminal Minds: Evolution showrunner Erica Messer discusses what's next for Zach Gilford's reformed serial killer Elias Voit. Season 3 of Criminal Minds: Evolution (or season 18 of Criminal Minds) ended with a fairly underwhelming conclusion, which saw Voit confess to his crimes and turn himself in after helping Bau bring down The Disciple.

The Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 finale managed to tie up a lot of the major plot threads pretty well, but it left plenty of questions heading into the new season. Voit is at an interesting place in his character's story, and Messer has shed a little light on how the show might look to explore this moving forward.

Per TV Insider, Messer has teased what audiences can expect next from Voit's arc, and what Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 (or Criminal Minds season 19) might bring for the haunted criminal. She talks about how the character has evolved over the course of the show,...

The following contains spoilers from the July 10 Criminal Minds: Evolution finale, now streaming on Paramount+.

Paramount+’s Criminal Minds closed out Season 18 with the reveal of the Disciple, and her sinister plan for Lee Duval aka Elias Voit aka Sicarius.

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Abducted from the hospital along with Dr. Ochoa (Aimee Garcia), Voit (Zach Gilford) was warmly...

Spoiler Alert! This story contains details from the season finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Paramount+ just dropped the final episode of the 18th season, which saw the return of serial killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), a fan favorite who’s become more complicated than ever. And it looks like we haven’t seen the last of this bad boy just yet.

Here, showrunner Erica Messer addresses the big changes we saw in Voit this season, along with how she and the writers came up with The Disciple, and what to expect from Season 19, which was ordered in March. Criminal Minds stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, and Rj Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster.

Deadline We’ve seen Voit go through such a transformation; he was very steadfast in his commitment to being good, even in the face of The Disciple. But there were moments, like when...

Criminal Minds: Evolution's Zach Gilford has discussed his character Elias Voit's unexpected season 3 transformation. After receiving a brain injury, the deadly serial killer lost his memories and developed amnesia, and has since shown remorse and distress, as he gradually gets back memories of what he has done. As one of the most fascinating characters in Criminal Minds: Evolution, Voit has an intriguing journey ahead of him, and Gilford will need to test his acting abilities in the coming weeks.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Gilford discussed how Voit's arc has seen him go from despised serial killer to repentant amnesiac, and a character that audiences might almost like. He discussed the challenges related to portraying that change as a character, and talked about similarities to Loki's villain-to-hero arc in the MCU, joking that the current iteration of Voit is occupying a different timeline. Check out Gilford's full comments below:

ScreenRant:...

Elias Voit might be a transformed man (we hope this is the case for real), but his minions are still running rogue in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Zach Gilford, the actor who has so compellingly brought the deranged character to life since the reboot's inception, has revealed he will help steer Voit's arc this season, behind the scenes. Gilford is set to direct an upcoming episode of the crime procedural, but this won't be his first time performing off-screen duties on the series. Gilford first directed Season 2, Episode 8, "North Star," parts of which centered around the Bau unraveling further details about Voit's sinister Sicarius network.

Several episodes later, the activities of the deadly network continue to keep the Bau busy, even though their leader has now seemingly turned a new leaf. The previous episode, "The Brutal Man," sees Gilford agreeing to work with the Bau to crack down on every last member of the network.

JJ and co. had to say goodbye to Will in Criminal Minds: Evolution, but the truth behind filming his death scene wasn't as straightforward as one might think. The police procedural crime drama TV series has featured numerous deaths over the course of its 18-season run (which includes the three seasons of Evolution). Many Criminal Minds characters whom the fans knew and loved have died. Sadly, Will was added to the deceased list at the beginning of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.

Following the release of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 2, star A.J. Cook spoke with TVLine about filming her onscreen husband's death. They asked her how it felt when Josh Stewart walked on set, knowing his character was going to die. However, Cook revealed that that moment never actually happened. Stewart didn't reprise his role as Will to film his death for season 3. Instead, Criminal Minds: Evolution used a deleted...

There was a funny moment during my recent Zoom with Criminal Minds: Evolution star (and TVLine Performer of the Week honorable mention) A.J. Cook, to discuss JJ tragically losing her husband Will after 18 years together.

She and I were talking about the late Linda Lavin guest-starring as WIll’s mother Connie… and franchise vet Matthew Gray Gubler’s cameo as Spencer… when I quipped about her TV husband’s unexpected Episode 2 encore:

More from TVLineCriminal Minds: A.J. Cook Opens Up About JJ's Loss, Her Real-Life Sons Playing 'Big Emotions,' and Negotiating That Brief CameoAll Stars 10 Is the Best...

As Criminal Minds: Evolution returns for Season 3 later in the week on May 8, the Bau continues to deal with some of the most depraved offenders ever known to man. Most of the team members have witnessed a lot of unsubs, but Tyler Green (Rj Hatanaka) is relatively new, and he's learning as he goes. "People think this job is about staring down evil, but it’s not. . . . . It's about loss," Prentiss (Paget Brewster) tells Tyler in the season's trailer. Brewster said this line "is some of the best dialogue I’ve ever had the honor of saying onscreen. It is so well written," when previewing the season to TV Insider, and how Tyler settles in with the team. "I never remember lines [after filming]," she said, but the scene, written by Jayne Archer, stuck out because it sums up what the Bau does in a really complex manner. She explained:

"The speech...

Paramount+ has released the official trailer and key art for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18, which will premiere on Thursday, May 8.

The new season will premiere with one episode, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 10. The series was previously renewed for a 19th season.

Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country.

In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit, who has his own agenda.

Criminal Minds: Evolution stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, and Rj Hatanaka, with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster.

Erica Messer serves as showrunner. The series is executive produced by Erica Messer, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw,...

Yes, indeedy: someone is about to be buried alive again in the name of wholesome entertainment.

In the official trailer for the new season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, there’s more talk about serial killers, sadistic psychopaths, and Elias Voit — the notorious Sicarius Killer played by the enthusiastic Zach Gilford.

The 18th season picks up six months after prisoners attack Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country. In order to stop this group from killing more women, er, innocents, the Bau is forced to play a “real life game of Clue” while saying things like “yes indeedy” as they work alongside the increasingly unpredictable Voit (who seems to his own agenda).

Evolution brings back stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, and Rj Hatanaka, along with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster.

The new season premieres with one episode...

Matthew Gray Gubler spent over a decade playing a brilliant forensic analyst for the FBI on Criminal Minds, endearing himself to fans of the series along the way. Now, he will put the skills he honed in that time to use, playing the titular role in a new CBS drama, Einstein.

Per Deadline, Gubler will play Albert Einstein's great-grandson. Following the previous reports of his casting, it's now been revealed that the show has officially been ordered to series at CBS. The logline reads: "Brilliant but directionless, the great-grandson of Albert Einstein spends his days as a comfortably tenured professor until his bad boy antics land him in trouble with the law and he is pressed into service helping a local police detective solve her most puzzling cases."

Gubler played Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds for 15 seasons. His character, Reid, is a Supervisory Agent for the Behavioral Analysis Unit,...

Since her arrival in Criminal Minds in the middle of season 2, Paget Brewster has proven to be an asset in the procedural drama as Emily Prentiss. Although her run in the show has been riddled with drama, especially during the early seasons, as of now, Brewster is still going strong as one of the leading figures in its revival, whose fourth season is around the corner..

However, her impeccable run in the revered procedural might never have been realized if it wasn’t for one actress, who parted ways with the show in season 2 due to her hatred for LA.

Lola Glaudini’s detest for LA inadvertently led to Paget Brewster’s debut

Having made her debut in the original season, Lola Glaudini’s Elle Greenaway proved to be a mixed bag, as while on one hand, some found her compelling, on the flip side, a notable portion of the...

The greatest Criminal Minds episode aired two decades ago, and you probably didn’t even realize it. While the show has delivered countless chilling cases and jaw-dropping moments over the years, one episode out of the lot would definitely tower the rest.

It was The Fisher King: Part 2, which aired in 2006, and not only pushed the Bau to their limits but also brought forth Matthew Gray Gubler’s most powerful performance as Dr. Spencer Reid. The acting was so powerful, it still gives chills to me and countless other viewers even today.

Matthew Gray Gubler’s best performance in Criminal Minds

Have you ever watched an episode of a show that stayed with you long after the credits rolled? For me, that episode was The Fisher King: Part 2 from Criminal Minds, which aired all the way back in 2006. And even after so many years (19 to be exact), it still is...

Paget Brewster’s journey to becoming Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds was a deliberate move toward stability. After years of bouncing between roles and living out of suitcases, Brewster reportedly urged her agent to find her a position on a long-running procedural. She was drawn to the idea of consistent work in one location, a stark contrast to the transient lifestyle she’d been leading.​

Since joining Criminal Minds, Brewster has become a cornerstone of the series, with her character evolving from a team member to a leader. Her decision to seek out a role that offered both professional fulfillment and personal stability has clearly paid off, allowing her to build a lasting legacy on one of television’s most enduring crime dramas.​

Paget Brewster traded hotel life for Criminal Minds fame Paget Brewster as Kathy in a still from Friends | Credits: NBC

Paget Brewster was chasing home, not fame.

Criminal Minds has never been the kind of show to toss around political buzzwords or jump on trending headlines. Erica Messer, the showrunner herself, swears by keeping stuff grounded in psychological suspense rather than Washington drama.

But every long-running series eventually hits a curveball, and Evolution found theirs. While the Bau sticks to profiling twisted minds and chasing serial offenders, one unexpected thread sneaked its way in, one that even Messer admits they couldn’t quite dodge.

A still from Criminal Minds | Credits: Paramount+

Let’s just say, when you dig deep enough into human behavior, you sometimes unearth conspiracies no scriptwriter planned on tackling.

Erica Messer admitted Criminal Minds dodges politics, but not that one time in Evolution

Criminal Minds: Evolution might steer clear of politics, but showrunner Erica Messer admitted there was one conspiracy too big to ignore. “We couldn’t avoid [it] when we came back,” she told Cbr.

Wheels up in May, profilers! We're returning to the round table room in the FBI: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Bau) building to solve more twisted cases and tackle life head-on. Entertainment Weekly surprised Criminal Minds fans on April 10 by releasing multiple updates for season 18.

Criminal Minds: Evolution boss Erica Messer dropped some teasers we may not expect. We received a season teaser video, photos, and storyline updates from Voit to Spencer Reid. I'm not kidding when I say they surprised us. Criminal Minds rarely releases updates, besides an occasional Paget Brewster tweet slip. Other than that, fans don't know much until close to release.

Matthew Gray Gubler reprises his role as Spencer Reid

Along with Voit and the Bau team returning, Matthew Gray Gubler's anticipated return is finally happening. I'm a Spencer Reid fan, and I'll be glad to see him, but I can already feel my heart breaking for what he's possibly going to endure.

Viewers love Criminal Minds not just for its twisted and dark cases but also its endearing characters that have left a lasting impression. Among them is Dr. Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Gray Gubler, who did complete justice to the character.

His genius profiling skills were unmatched, and he was the heart and soul of the Behavioral Analysis Unit for over 15 seasons. The actor did not continue with the show’s reboot, and it felt like the void couldn’t be filled as the audience craved his presence.

Matthew Gray Gubler in Criminal Minds | CBS

There were no more awkward yet profound insights or rapid-fire statistics, which we all miss a little too much. But now, after an overwhelmingly long hiatus, Gubler finally seems to be back in Reid’s shoes on Criminal Minds: Evolution, so let’s know more about the same!

Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid...

For the better part of the last two decades, Criminal Minds has entertained audiences with its gripping portrayal of criminal profiling, intense psychological drama, and compelling characters.

Not only did the series offer a deep dive into the world of crime and police procedures, but its emotional depth and complex storyline have often captivated viewers.

Criminal Minds | Credit: CBS studios

Even when the characters changed and the series underwent some major changes, throughout the years, the feel has remained the same. However, the show received a new lease of life when it was renewed and revived back in 2022. And according to longtime cast member Paget Brewster, the change has been very welcome.

Paget Brewster is very happy with how Criminal Minds has changed Paget Brewster in a still from Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS

Paget Brewster is one of the many Criminal Minds stars who joined the crime drama TV show...

Created by Jeff Davis and Erica Messer, the police procedural crime drama Criminal Minds followed a group of criminal profilers who worked for the FBI as members of its Bau. The group used their impeccable behavioral analysis and profiling to investigate crimes and find perpetrators. The show starred Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, A.J. Cook, Paget Brewster, and others.

A.J. Cook in Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS

Upon release in 2005, Criminal Minds became one of the most popular shows on the CBS Network. It received positive responses from the critics as well as the audience and concluded after the fifteenth season. But its success and popularity were too much to let it conclude, and thus, it was revived and retitled Criminal Minds: Evolution for the sixteenth season, but instead of CBS, it premiered on Paramount+.

Criminal Minds actress Paget Brewster reveals the reason she and A. J. Cook...

Criminal Minds has a history of dramatic exits for its main cast, including fan-favorite Thomas Gibson, whose firing in the wake of the actor’s alleged altercation with Virgil Williams left fans furious. While the #NoHotchNoWatch campaign garnered a lot of steam at the time, Damon Gupton, who was brought in to fill the void, did prove to be a great addition to the team.

Thomas Gibson in Criminal Minds | Credit: CBS

But similar to Gibson, Gupton’s Stephen Walker was written off the show by the time season 12 ended, which, in hindsight, was a mishap of epic proportions.

Damon Gupton’s short-lived tenure in Criminal Minds

When Damon Gupton was initially approached to step in to fill the void left by Gibson’s firing, the actor had “no trepidation” about joining the show and was “excited to bring something new” (via TVGuide). Unfortunately, despite being a primary character in...

CBS’ police procedural crime-drama series Criminal Minds was created by Jeff Davis and Erica Messer and starred Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler, Thomas Gibson, and others. The show followed a group of criminal profilers who worked for the FBI as a part of their Behavioral Analysis Unit.

The series premiered in 2005 and instantly became a hit for the network and one of the most-watched shows on the network.

Matthew Gray Gubler in Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS

The success and popularity of the show were seen when it spawned into a media franchise, which included several spinoffs and a South Korean adaptation. Criminal Minds initially concluded after the 15th season but was revived with a new title, Criminal Minds: Evolution, for Season 16, which premiered on Paramount+.

In March 2025, Criminal Minds was renewed for Season 19, but fans are still wondering what the network was trying to do with Gray Gubler in Season...

In the world of thrilling crime dramas, only a few have stayed as popular as Criminal Minds. With more than 200 episodes and millions of fans worldwide, the CBS series is much more than a typical TV drama. And people didn’t just tune in to watch the FBI solve disturbing cases, but they also kept coming back for the characters at the heart of the Behavioral Analysis Unit.

One of those characters was Jennifer “J.J.” Jareau, played by actress A.J. Cook. Her character has been a part of the show since the very beginning, and her transformation within the series has been nothing short of remarkable.

A.J. Cook in a still from Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS

While as a character she was loved by many, something changed in the 200th episode, and she wasn’t the same. Let’s dive deeper into this and the circumstances that possibly...

Fourteen years ago, Criminal Minds dropped one of its most emotional gut-punches, and Matthew Gray Gubler was the one behind the camera. The fan-fave directed a farewell episode that sent a major Bau star packing, and yep, it wrecked us.

It wasn’t just sad, it was tissues-on-standby, scream-into-a-pillow sad. Gubler didn’t just direct an exit; he crafted a heartbreak in HD.

Matthew Gray Gubler in Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS Matthew Gray Gubler directed Paget Brewster’s Emily Prentiss’s most heartbreaking Criminal Minds farewell Paget Brewster and Matthew Gray Gubler in a still from Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS

Back on March 16, 2011, Criminal Minds dropped one of its most emotional punches ever — Season 6, Episode 18: Lauren. Directed by none other than Matthew Gray Gubler, it served as the heartbreaking goodbye to Paget Brewster’s Emily Prentiss, or so we thought.

Gubler himself called it “one of our most important episodes ever,...

Criminal Minds: Evolution (formerly only Criminal Minds) has proven to be one of the most iconic police procedural dramas of all time. To be precise, the incredibly performing cast was one of the biggest reasons behind the thriller mystery crime masterpiece’s success, besides its immersive plotlines brought about by the masterminds behind the show.

In fact, to say the least, the cast members’ performances throughout the smash hit of a show have been so iconic and praiseworthy that, despite their respective characters not being famous in the show, the showrunner Erica Messer regrets getting rid of them at one point. One of these very characters was Nicholas D’Agosto’s Doug Bailey.

Criminal Minds: Evolution. | Credits: CBS. Erica Messer regrets getting rid of Doug Bailey in Criminal Minds: Evolution

Of all the characters that made their way into the Criminal Minds world, Nicholas D’Agosto’s Doug Bailey was yet another addition.

When Criminal Minds first premiered in 2005, many thought it would just be another crime show. But it quickly gained momentum and became one of the most celebrated series on television. Along with the gripping storylines, it also presented a stellar cast, one of whom was actress Lola Glaudini.

She played the role of FBI Agent Elle Greenaway, and her character was known for being smart, strong, and bringing a lot of heart to the team.

Lola Glaudini in a still from Criminal Minds | Credits: CBS Broadcasting

Glaudini was a part of the original cast, but just as the fans were starting to connect with her character, she suddenly left the show without much explanation. But now, fans want her to return to Criminal Minds for a very specific reason. Let’s dive deeper to understand what that is.

Elle Greenaway needs to come back to wrap up her storyline in...

This next crisis will not escape the Behavioral Analysis Unit when Criminal Minds Season 18 (a.k.a Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3) premieres on May 8. The season features a time jump, and the team is forced to work with their worst enemy when killers strike in large numbers. Season 18 "picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country. In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit who has his own agenda," teases the official description. In anticipation of the new season, Paramount+ released character posters showing the team's eyes locked on the prize: stopping Voit's army of killers.

The posters below feature the main cast of Season 18, which includes Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), A.J. Cook...

What happens when a showrunner’s twisted imagination meets the network’s appetite for dark and gripping storytelling? For Criminal Minds: Evolution, the idea pitched by Erica Messer felt so unsettling that Paramount executives were questioning her sanity.

Messer is the mastermind behind the series who envisioned a plot so chilling that even the thought of it occurring to her is slightly concerning. Now, with multiple seasons under its belt, the show has fans hooked, so how did this disturbing concept come to life?

A still from Criminal Minds: Evolution | Credits: Paramount+ The twisted inspiration behind Criminal Minds: Evolution

The revival of Criminal Minds on Paramount+ wasn’t just a nostalgic return but also an evolution that was bold and terrifying. The original series wrapped up in 2020, but Erica Messer wanted to tell a story.

A still from Criminal Minds: Evolution | Credits: Paramount+

Many films and TV shows had...

It was announced this week that Criminal Minds will be back for season 18 on May 8, 2025 and we also know that a 19th season has been ordered.

The third season of Evolution, the continuation of the beloved CBS show, will premiere on Paramount+.

TVLine has confirmed that the action will pick back up “six months” after the end of the previous season.

Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer previously revealed that we are done with Gold Star in the upcoming season, but the next season won’t necessarily be a new case.

“Not 100%, because we still have Voit in our life. It’s a bit more hybrid. Remember, we didn’t solve Gold Star really until we caught Damien, so that was sort of an ongoing story for most of the season. This [next] season will feel a little different, where we’re solving standalone ‘Catch the Bad Guy’ cases,” she told TVLine.

A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, Rj Hatanaka, Paget Brewster, Kirsten Vangsness, and Joe Mantegna in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 18 (Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+)

Criminal Minds: Evolution is confirmed to stick around for another season. Paramount+ has officially renewed the drama for season 19 ahead of its season 18 premiere.

Season 18 will premiere on Paramount+ on May 8, 2025, with new episodes of the 10 episode season streaming on Thursdays.

“Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country,” reads Paramount+’s synopsis. “In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit who has his own agenda.”

Season 18 stars Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, A.J. Cook is Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia,...

Paramount+ today announced that the hit original crime series Criminal Minds: Evolution has been renewed for Season 19.

Additionally, Season 18 will premiere on May 8, exclusively on the platform. The 10-episode season will drop weekly on Thursdays.

Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country.

To stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit who has his own agenda.

Criminal Minds: Evolution stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford and Rj Hatanaka, with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster.

The series is produced by 20th Television and CBS Studios. Erica Messer serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Breen Frazier, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw and Mark Gordon also executive producing.

Paramount+, part...

Paramount+ has set a premiere date for the next season of Criminal Minds: Evolution — and assured that the show will continue beyond that.

The streamer has renewed the show for another season, which will be the fourth since Evolution was added to its title upon its revival at Paramount+ and the 19th for the series as a whole, including its long run on CBS. (Paramount+ is referring to the renewal as season 19.)

The third/18th season of the show is set to premiere May 8, with episodes rolling out weekly. The coming season will pick up six months after the events of the previous season, “after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country,” per the show’s logline. “In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is...

“Criminal Minds: Evolution” is officially returning this spring, and it’s coming back with a Season 19 renewal. Season 18 of the police procedural will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on May 8.

This upcoming installment will be 10 episodes long with new episodes premiering on Thursdays.

Season 18 takes place six months after prisoners attacked the Sicarius Killer — Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) — a move that led to his followers taking to the dark web to wreak havoc across the country. The Behavioral Analysis Unit is forced to work with Voit to stop the chaos, but the longer they work with him, the clearer it becomes that he has his own agenda. In addition to Gilford, this new season stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, and Rj Hatanaka along with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster.

Erica Messer, known for her work on “Criminal Minds” and “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” serves as showrunner and executive producer for “Evolution.

“Criminal Minds: Evolution” has been renewed for Season 19 ahead of the Season 18 premiere, Variety has learned.

Season 18 of the series will debut on Paramount+ on May 8, with new episodes dropping weekly thereafter. “Evolution” picks up after the events of the original “Criminal Minds,” which aired on CBS for 15 seasons.

“Evolution” brought back many of the original series’ cast, including Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, and Aisha Tyler, with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Rj Hatanaka and Zach Gilford joined the series when it was revived in 2022.

The official description for Season 18 states that it picks up six months after the events of the previous season, in which “prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit (Gilford), leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country. In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the Bau is forced to work...

Paramount+ has officially renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution, starring Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook and Kirsten Vangsness, for a fourth season. The early pickup for the Criminal Minds sequel comes ahead of the crime drama’s Season 3 premiere, which has been set for May 8, followed by weekly drops on Thursdays.

Speculation about a renewal for Season 4 (overall Season 19 across Criminal Minds and Evolution) started when production on Season 3 (Season 18 overall) wrapped in December, with star Paget Brewster writing on X at the time that “we are optimistic we’ll get a season 19.”

By Feb. 10, the pickup was pretty much a done deal, with the cast and crew informed about it.

As previously revealed by series showrunner Erica Messer, the 10-episode third season will feature a time jump. It picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country.

Criminal Minds will be returning with season 18 in 2025 and we have some details to share about the upcoming episodes.

The third season of Evolution, the continuation of the beloved CBS show, will premiere on Paramount+ later this year.

TVLine has confirmed that the action will pick back up “six months” after the end of the previous season.

Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer previously revealed that we are done with Gold Star in the upcoming season, but the next season won’t necessarily be a new case.

“Not 100%, because we still have Voit in our life. It’s a bit more hybrid. Remember, we didn’t solve Gold Star really until we caught Damien, so that was sort of an ongoing story for most of the season. This [next] season will feel a little different, where we’re solving standalone ‘Catch the Bad Guy’ cases,” she told TVLine.

So, which cast members are coming back?...

The police procedural may be a staple of network TV, but it's finding new life on streaming, as Criminal Minds: Evolution has found a welcome home on Paramount+. The original Criminal Minds aired on CBS for 15 seasons, while Criminal Minds: Evolution will be going into its third season. It brought back favorite characters such as David Rossi (Joe Montegna), Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Jennifer “J.J.” Jareau (A.J. Cook), Luke Alvarez (Adam Rodrigeuz), and Dr. Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler). Will Lamontagne, Jr. (Josh Stewart) was also among the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast, though he didn't return for season 2.

As a detective working closely with Criminal Minds' Behavioral Analysis Unit, Will once played an important recurring role in the police procedural. He was also romantically involved with J.J., and the father of her child, Henry. Having been a recurring presence since Criminal Minds season 2, Will’s departure from Criminal Minds: Evolution was sudden,...

The following contains spoilers from the Silo Season 2 finale, now streaming on Apple TV+.

The future is looking bright(er) for Apple TV+’s Silo.

More from TVLine<em>Silo</em> Boss Graham Yost on Season 2 Finale’s Wild Ending, Pez Dispenser Shocker: ‘We’re All Chasing the Hatch From <em>Lost’</em>Performer of the Week: Rebecca FergusonSilo Adds Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick for Season 3 - In What Year Will It Be Set?

Or should we say “the past” is?

Given the shocking, flashbacky finish to the Apple TV+ adaptation’s Season 2 finale — and in the wake of season-long viewer complaints about the...

While Matthew Gray Gubler's return as Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution may sound exciting, it is actually more dreadful, considering its narrative implications. After years of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that the genius profiler will rejoin Emily Prentiss' team. In its first two years, Criminal Minds: Evolution played coy about the whereabouts of Reid, with season 2 establishing that he was on sabbatical. This made it easy for Erica Messer to reincorporate the character once Gubler became available. Now, it's only a matter of time before it happens in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.

Technically, Reid is still a member of the Bau. Amid some confusion about why exactly Gubler hasn't joined the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast, it was explained that the issue boiled down to timing. The actor has been working on other projects since the original CBS show wrapped up in 2021. However, contrary to previous reports,...

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 gets a hopeful update from star Paget Brewster, with the third season wrapping filming. When viewers last caught up with the Paramount+ revival, the big takeaway was the stabbing of Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) by his fellow inmates. Even though showrunner Erica Messer has confirmed that Voit will return for Criminal Minds: Evoultion season 3, there are questions about whether the stabbing was staged and to what end.

Brewster, who plays Emily Prentiss, took to social media to announce that Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 had wrapped filming. The revival can also be considered a direct continuation of the original Criminal Minds, which is why it's sometimes also called season 18. In any case, Brewster sounds hopeful that the series will be renewed. She wrote, in part: “We are optimistic we’ll get a season 19.”

â¦@criminalmindsâ© wraps season 18 tonight. We are optimistic we’ll get a season 19. Thank...