✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
The cast literally found out about the cancellation at the exact same time as the fans! It’s a total gut punch, but the squad is already calling each other family for life while they prep for one last ride.
📑 Quick Jump
The news that Criminal Minds: Evolution is officially wrapping up after its upcoming 20th season feels like a total gut punch to the fandom. While it’s technically ending “for now,” the cast is already taking to social media to process the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to such a massive procedural staple. For many of these actors, this isn’t just a job—it’s been their entire lives.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Kirsten Vangsness, who has been our literal queen Penelope Garcia since season one, got real about the news in an Instagram video. She compared the feeling to the moment Charlie gets his chocolate in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—super sweet but also kind of heartbreaking. According to Vangsness, the cast didn’t even get a heads-up before the news went public; they actually found out at the exact same time as the fans. I love my job and my boss Erica Messer says there’s so many more stories to tell. She noted that while the show is ending for the moment, the whole team is crossing their fingers for the chance to keep telling those stories somewhere else.
💫 I love my job and my boss Erica Messer says there’s so many more stories to tell.
Family Over Everything
The emotional tributes from the rest of the squad are honestly making me tear up. RJ Hatanaka, who joined as agent Tyler Green in season 16, posted a group photo calling everyone “the finest group of people,” which triggered a wave of heartfelt replies. Longtime fan favorite A.J. Cook shared the post with a caption about how the crew owns her heart forever, even posting a throwback Halloween pic of herself holding a tombstone for her character JJ with the caption “Rest in peace JJ (for now).” Aisha Tyler, who plays Dr. Tara Lewis, echoed that sentiment by calling the cast family for life.
Even Paget Brewster, our Emily Prentiss icon, kept it short and spicy on social media by simply posting the words “Free Agent.” While we wait for the final season to premiere in 2027, the heavy hitters like Joe Mantegna and Adam Rodriguez will be closing out this chapter alongside the rest of the ensemble. It’s definitely the end of an era for Paramount+, but the Criminal Minds family clearly isn’t done being iconic just yet.
Do you think Criminal Minds should get a proper series finale, or is the ‘ending for now’ vibe enough?
❓ People Also Ask
When is the final season of Criminal Minds: Evolution expected to premiere?
The final season of Criminal Minds: Evolution is scheduled to premiere in 2027. This upcoming season will serve as the conclusion to the current era of the series on Paramount+. While the show is officially wrapping up after its 20th season, the cast and crew are hopeful that they might find new opportunities to continue telling these stories in the future. Longtime heavy hitters like Joe Mantegna and Adam Rodriguez are expected to be part of this closing chapter.
How did the Criminal Minds cast find out about the show's cancellation?
The cast members found out about the cancellation at the exact same time as the fans. Kirsten Vangsness, who plays Penelope Garcia, shared that the actors did not receive a private heads-up before the news became public. This sudden announcement left the cast processing the bittersweet reality of the show ending through social media. Vangsness described the experience as being both sweet and heartbreaking, similar to a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
What are the cast members saying about the end of the series?
The cast members are expressing deep emotional connections to the show by describing their colleagues as family. Aisha Tyler noted that the cast is family for life, while RJ Hatanaka called the ensemble the finest group of people. A.J. Cook shared a sentimental tribute to her character JJ, suggesting the character is resting in peace only for the moment. Meanwhile, Paget Brewster reacted to the news by simply posting that she is now a free agent.
Why is the cancellation of Criminal Minds: Evolution considered bittersweet for the actors?
The cancellation is considered bittersweet because the cast views their roles as much more than just a job. For many of these actors, working on the long-running procedural has been a central part of their lives for many years. While they are saddened to see the era end, showrunner Erica Messer expressed that there are still many stories left to tell. The team remains hopeful that they can eventually continue their work elsewhere despite the current conclusion.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Hollywood Reporter