Paramount+ is giving fans a double dose of good news. The streaming service has officially set the return date for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19, and the show has already been renewed for a 20th season. The upcoming season also brings a fresh face to the Behavioral Analysis Unit, with Heated Rivalry breakout star Connor Storrie joining the guest cast.
The long-running crime drama continues to draw strong audiences since its move from CBS to Paramount+. The franchise originally aired for 15 seasons on CBS before continuing with the Evolution subtitle on the streaming platform. Now heading into its 19th season overall, the show shows no signs of slowing down.
Season 19 Arrives on Paramount+ in May
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 is scheduled to premiere on May 28, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+. New episodes will drop weekly after the premiere, giving viewers a steady dose of the BAU’s latest cases. The announcement came on March 24, 2026, along with a first-look clip that offers a glimpse into what the team will face this season.
The first-look footage shows the BAU investigating a troubling case that connects to events from decades ago. Three people were reported missing, with one found dead on a remote trail. The way the victim’s body was arranged matches a cold case from 1996. This leads the team to question whether the same unsub is responsible or if these are separate incidents occurring in the same location.
Connor Storrie Joins Impressive Guest Lineup
The biggest casting news for Season 19 is the addition of Connor Storrie. The Texas-born actor gained widespread attention for his role as Ilya Rozanov in Crave’s hockey romance series Heated Rivalry. While fans are waiting for Storrie’s return as Ilya in Heated Rivalry Season 2, the actor will make a detour into the world of crime thrillers with this guest appearance.
Paramount+ is keeping details about Storrie’s character under wraps for now. The role marks a notable shift from his breakout performance in the romance series to the gripping world of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. Storrie joins an extensive roster of guest talent for Season 19.
The full guest list includes:
- Justin Kirk
- Yvette Nicole Brown
- Clark Gregg
- Paul F. Tompkins
- Cress Williams
- Kofi Siriboe
- Lyndon Smith
- Richard Cabral
- Jeri Ryan
- Rob Yang
- Nicholas Gonzalez
- Inny Clemons
- Nicole Pacent
- Dash Mihok
- Joseph Cross
- Cara Jade Myers
Core Cast Returns for the New Season
The main cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution is back for Season 19. Viewers will see the familiar faces that have carried the franchise for years. The returning cast includes:
- 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
- Zach Gilford as Elias Voit
- RJ Hatanaka as Tyler Green
Showrunner Erica Messer continues to lead the series as executive producer, along with Breen Frazier, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw, and Mark Gordon. The production team has worked together for years, maintaining the quality that viewers expect from the franchise.
What to Expect From Season 19
The upcoming season picks up after the events of Season 18, with a one-year time jump. This allows the characters to process what happened while moving forward with new challenges. Elias Voit has become a household name, achieving a level of fame similar to real-world serial killers like Ted Bundy. This creates new complications for the BAU as they deal with a killer who now has unwanted celebrity status.
Showrunner Erica Messer explained that the team will want to get inside Voit’s brain and conduct interviews with him, which is what the BAU actually does with convicted killers. She noted that the season will explore the darkness that comes from Voit’s newfound fame.
Season 19 will also focus on character development for Luke Alvez. Messer mentioned that Alvez has significant storylines this season, particularly in the second episode. The cast had emotional reactions when screening that episode. JJ continues to navigate life as a single mother following the death of her husband Will. Her grief remains an ongoing part of her character arc throughout the season.
For Dr. Tara Lewis, the season shows her thriving. Actress Aisha Tyler shared that Tara loves to pick apart the brains of bad guys, and she gets to do a lot of that this season.
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Season 20 Already Confirmed for 2027
Paramount+ officially renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a 20th season on the same day it announced the Season 19 premiere date. The next season will debut sometime in 2027. This early renewal continues a pattern for the series, which has consistently been picked up ahead of its current season premieres.
This marks the 20th season overall for the franchise, counting the original 15 seasons on CBS. The Evolution continuation has now secured its fifth season on the streaming platform. The early renewal gives the production team time to plan and begin work on the next installment while Season 19 prepares for its May launch.
The series continues to be produced by 20th Television and CBS Studios. With strong viewership numbers and consistent early renewals, Criminal Minds: Evolution remains a core title for Paramount+’s streaming lineup.
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