Criminal Minds: Evolution to end after season 20 despite top 10 ranking

Paramount+ will end Criminal Minds: Evolution with Season 20, scheduled to premiere in 2027. The franchise will not return for a 21st season. The show ran 15 seasons on CBS from 2005 to 2020 and five on Paramount+ as Evolution. Season 20 wrapped before the announcement, so it was not built as a planned finale. Paramount+ had renewed Season 20 early in March, ahead of the Season 19 premiere. Deadline reported the cancellation was recommended by the previous Paramount+ regime before the Skydance merger and became the first under new leadership and Casey Bloys, even as the series sat in the streamer's Top 10. Erica Messer said the team was suddenly navigating the end and thanked the cast, writers, directors, crew and fans whose loyalty kept the show going for two decades; she said they look forward to sharing Season 20 and celebrating its legacy. Former Paramount+ Head of Originals Jane Wiseman said in August she and her team were big fans of Evolution and open to more series in that mold. The series is produced by 20th Television and CBS Studios. A specific 2027 premiere date has not been set.