First, some good news. “Criminal Minds” will have a 15th season. However, after what will be a whopping 325 episodes, the crime drama is finally coming to an end. The long-running series is currently in its 14th season on CBS and the good news is that it has been renewed for a further season of 10 episodes, while the bad news is that will be it. No more “Criminal Minds” from here on out. It is the end of an era for the popular series with many viewers no doubt disappointed by the news.
The Wrap reports that no particular reason has been given for the cancellation of the series, news of which came out on Thursday this week, but does note that ratings have slipped a little over time.
The exciting crime drama first aired on CBS in September 2005.
Season 15 of ‘Criminal Minds’ to be the last
At the beginning of Season 14, the crime investigation drama aired its 300th episode, which was actually titled “300.” By the end of Season 15, the total number of episodes will hit 325. This places “Criminal Minds” among the longest-running TV dramas ever.
‘CRIMINAL MINDS’ to End After 15 Seasonshttps://t.co/G3cmjQ6sUt pic.twitter.com/GH94TPLcdS
— ComicBook NOW! (@ComicBookNOW) January 11, 2019
For those who haven’t watched the show, it tells the tale of a group of FBI behavioural profilers who have solved a myriad of brutal crimes. Besides profiling the criminals, or unsubs (unknown subjects), at the Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU), they also struggle with their own personal problems.
Cast of ‘Criminal Minds’
The show has starred Thomas Gibson and Mandy Patinkin and has also starred Jennifer Love Hewitt over the years. However, after Gibson, who played the role of Aaron Hotchner for 11 seasons, got into an on-set drama of his own with a producer, he was cut from the show in 2016 to the great disappointment of many of his fans.
Criminal Minds is ending after a 15th and final seasonhttps://t.co/8ajtkkFa0B pic.twitter.com/Aw0lalxW0x
— Digital Spy (@digitalspy) January 11, 2019
Among the other, long-running cast members are a now-greying Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler, Paget Brewster, AJ Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Lola Glaudini, Daniel Henney, Penelope Garcia, Shemar Moore, and Adam Rodriguez.
The current “Criminal Minds” showrunner is Erica Messer. The Daily Mail quotes Messer as telling TVLine that the ending was “really bittersweet,” but she went on to express her gratitude to CBS for letting them know.
Final shooting of Season 15 of ‘Criminal Minds’
Producers plan to Film Season 15 immediately after the end of Season 14 in the spring, so the final season can play out over the 2019-2020 TV broadcast schedule on CBS. The penultimate season of “Criminal Minds” currently airs at 10 PM ET on CBS.