Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 – Latest updates on release date, cast news and plot details

Criminal Minds: Evolution could be one of the most highly anticipated detective shows to be released on international streaming services, providing thrilling serial killer investigations and in-depth psychological assessments by the talented team at BAU. Fans are excited to see what will happen in Season 19 (the fourth season of the original show), which is expected to feature even more detailed profiling of the unsubs and high-stress team relationships, as well as continuing the search for violent killers such as Elias Voit after the cliffhanger of Season 18 ends in 2023.

Criminal Minds: Evolution will move on into its 19th (overall) season (referred to as Evolution Season Four) exclusively attached to Paramount+.

The final episode of the twelfth season, designated as Evolution Season Three, was released on Sunday, May 8, 2025, and ended on Thursday, July 10, 2025, with each episode releasing weekly on Thursdays. So, with the final episode already filmed, the production for the next season was completed andis operatings in an almost complete timeframe.

To date (February 2026), there has been no official announcement from Paramount+ regarding a set premiere date. They confirmed the renewal of the current series, and the overwhelming majority of trade publications and insiders believe that a 2026 release is highly likely. As a result of filming being completed and marketing commencing (including at least one teaser), it seems very likely that the first and some part of the first half of 2026 will see the first episode air; however, it’s too soon for this to be made public.

Based upon the recent rollout history of other seasons of Evolution, it seems most likely that the output of newepisodes willh fall into either the spring or early summer slots, continuing with the usual Thursday drops; but once again, at present, there is nothing from Paramount+ confirming that they will commit to these projections.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Expected Cast

The core Behavioral Analysis Unit is expected to remain intact, with returning cast members including:

• Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
• Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
• A.J. Cook as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau
• Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez
• Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
• Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis
• Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green
• Zach Gilford is expected to continue as Elias Voitwhose presence has anchored the serialized Evolution storyline.

New and recurring guest characters are expected, though Paramount+ has not formally announced major additions.

There is no confirmed return for former mainstays such as Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) or Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) at this stage.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Potential Plot

Plot specifics for Season 19 are being kept under wraps. The only thing confirmed is that the season will be a continuation of the serialized format from Evolution, and will not revert to fully standalone episodic cases.

Season 18 provided closure with unanswered questions and remaining threats from Elias Voit as well as the wider world of criminal enterprise. Escalation will take place instead of resetting to a previous state.

Season 19 will likely begin right where the end of Season 18 ended and still have Voit’s influence outlined in cases for the BAU.

The storyline of Season 19 will likely consist of both new episodic cases and a longer-term antagonist arc while remaining true to the darker nature and higher stakes seen in the revival.

Character fallout from Season 19 will likely have an increased focus on Rossi, Prentiss, and Garcia, as the team continues to deal with the cumulative trauma they have experienced in recent seasons.