Cast members of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” are sharing their reactions after news that the Paramount+ crime drama will conclude with its 20th season. A.J. Cook, Paget Brewster, Kirsten Vangsness and RJ Hatanaka posted tributes that reflected their appreciation for the series and their colleagues, while some expressed hope that the characters could return.
The cancellation was first reported on Friday. The upcoming season is scheduled to air in 2027, following Season 19, which ran from May through July this year. The announcement brings another ending to a procedural that continued beyond the conclusion of its original CBS run through a streaming revival.
Cook acknowledged the news with a Halloween photograph featuring a tombstone for her character, special agent Jennifer Jareau. Her caption read, “Rest in peace JJ (for now),” accompanied by hashtags referencing the show, Halloween and her ongoing reaction to the cancellation. Cook has played Jareau since “Criminal Minds” premiered in 2005. Known as JJ, the character initially served as the BAU’s media and police liaison before becoming a profiler.
Brewster, who began playing FBI supervisory special agent Emily Prentiss in Season 2, posted a black-and-white photograph bearing the words “Free Agent.” Hatanaka shared a cast photograph and praised the people he worked with. He joined the series in Season 16 as FBI agent Tyler Green.
Vangsness addressed the cancellation in an Instagram video, describing social media as a place where she could deliver her own public response. She acknowledged the news while drawing attention to wording that suggested the series was ending for the time being. Vangsness has portrayed technical analyst Penelope Garcia since the first season, including during the character’s relationship with Shemar Moore’s agent Derek Morgan in the original show.
Reflecting on the series’ longevity, Vangsness used a comparison with Charlie receiving chocolate in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to convey her bittersweet feelings. She expressed gratitude for the unusually long run while emphasizing her love for the job. She also said her boss, Erica Messer, believed there were more stories available to tell, and welcomed the possibility of continuing them elsewhere.
In the caption accompanying her video, Vangsness thanked the production and her fellow cast members. Alongside Cook, Brewster and Hatanaka, she included Joe Mantegna, Aisha Tyler and Adam Rodriguez, who also star in “Evolution.”
CBS renewed the original “Criminal Minds” for a 15th and final season in January 2019. The show was subsequently revived in 2022 for Season 16 under the “Evolution” title, continuing the story after the events of the original series.
