After fifteen years and fifteen seasons, the iconic fan favorite Criminal Minds tragically came to an end in 2020. Fans have been speculating about a potential additional season for the past two years, and cast member Joe Mantegna officially confirmed this rumor on Twitter in July 2022.

The reboot’s official title is Criminal Minds: Evolution. Although this is more of a spinoff than a sixteenth season, it will feature the following returning cast members: A.J. Cook as JJ, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, Aisha Tyler as Tara Lewis, and Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez. Additionally, a new face, Zach Gliford, is set to join the cast. Noticeably missing from the returning cast list is the cherished Matthew Gray Gubler, who has starred in the series since its first season back in 2005. According to cast member Paget Brewster, Gubler is stepping back from the series to pursue other projects. After all, his goal was to be a director, but he sustained his acting career for 15 years(although he did direct some episodes of the show). The show will not be the same without him, but it keeps fans curious about what is to come this season. Daniel Henney will also not be returning to the cast due to his role as a star of another series that will continue to film for a few more years. Furthermore, Josh Stewart, who plays William Lamontangue Jr., will return as a guest star. Hopefully, Gubler and Henney will make appearances as guest stars as well.

Criminal Minds: Evolution captures a story where an unsub (unidentified subject/offender) has developed a network of serial killers over the COVID-19 pandemic. The elite group of criminal profilers in the FBI’s BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) are up against their toughest challenge yet, and they must hunt down each offender one at a time.

The suspenseful and thrilling trailer has been released by Paramount Plus, and it appears that fans are in for a chilling season.

Criminal Minds: Evolution will premiere on Paramount Plus on November 24, 2022, Thanksgiving Day, with two episodes. The series will then drop a new episode every Thursday up until its midseason finale on December 15. Thereafter, the season will resume on January 12 and conclude on February 9. Don’t miss it!