If you’ve been losing sleep over the fate of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, join the club. It feels like we’ve been riding this roller coaster since 2005, and honestly, the drama behind the scenes of Criminal Minds: Evolution has been almost as intense as the UnSubs they track. But let’s get the big question out of the way immediately. Will there be a season 18 of Criminal Minds? Yes. Absolutely. In fact, it's already happened, and there is even more coming down the pike.
Navigating the naming conventions of this show is a total headache. Some people call it Criminal Minds Season 18, while Paramount+ officially labels it as Evolution Season 3. Regardless of what you call it, the BAU isn't going anywhere. The show was officially renewed for this eighteenth installment back on June 5, 2024—literally the day before Season 17 even premiered. Talk about a vote of confidence.
What Actually Happened in Season 18?
Since we are currently sitting in early 2026, we can look back at the chaos that was Season 18. It premiered on May 8, 2025, and it was a doozy. If you haven't caught up, you've missed some of the darkest writing the franchise has ever attempted. We aren't just talking about creepy guys in basements anymore.
The season picked up about six months after that wild cliffhanger where Elias Voit (played by the terrifyingly good Zach Gilford) was stabbed in prison. We spent most of the season wondering if he was actually "cured" of his psychopathy or if he was just playing the world's longest con. The BAU ended up in this weird, uncomfortable "hybrid" situation where they were solving standalone cases while still dealing with the lingering rot of the Sicarius network.
✨ Don't miss: High School DxD Cards: What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Collectibles
One of the biggest gut-punches? The death of Will LaMontagne Jr. (Josh Stewart). Fans knew Josh Stewart wasn't returning, but seeing the character killed off in the second episode of the season was a massive blow. It shifted the entire tone for JJ, turning her arc into a heavy study of grief and single motherhood.
The Spencer Reid Cameo: What Most People Got Wrong
For years, the internet was convinced Matthew Gray Gubler was never coming back. There were theories about feuds, scheduling nightmares, and "Einstein" (his new show) taking up all his time.
But it finally happened.
Gubler officially returned as Dr. Spencer Reid in Season 18, specifically in the third episode titled "Time to Say Goodbye." It wasn't a full-season return—it was a cameo for a funeral—but it confirmed that Reid is still alive, still in the mix, and still has his desk waiting for him. Seeing him back at the round table, even briefly, was the hit of nostalgia every "Gube" fan needed.
Who is Returning for the Next Chapter?
Paramount+ has already doubled down by renewing the show for Season 19 (or Evolution Season 4). If you're wondering who is sticking around for the next set of episodes filming right now, the roster looks pretty familiar:
- Joe Mantegna as David Rossi (who is still dealing with some serious Voit-related PTSD).
- Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss (the "HBIC" who almost quit but thankfully didn't).
- A.J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau.
- Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia.
- Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis.
- Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez.
- Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green (now officially a rookie agent!).
- Zach Gilford as Elias Voit.
Wait, why is Voit still there? Didn't he get shipped off to a maximum-security prison in the Season 18 finale? Yeah, he did. But Zach Gilford has already confirmed he’s under contract for the next season. He even joked in interviews about reading the first few scripts for Season 19 and being surprised that the writers found a new way to keep him relevant.
Why the "Disciple" Reveal Changed Everything
The big "big bad" of Season 18 turned out to be Tessa (The Disciple), played by Jordana Spiro. She was essentially the "replacement" daughter for the late, Great UnSub Cyrus. The finale, "The Disciple," was a psychological mess in the best way possible. It forced Voit to choose between his old life and a potential path to redemption by saving Dr. Julia Ochoa.
By the time the credits rolled on Season 18, the Sicarius network was finally dismantled. Garcia and the team arrested the remaining members, leaving the board clear for whatever new nightmare the writers have planned for the upcoming season.
How to Prepare for the Future of Criminal Minds
If you’re trying to keep up with the BAU in 2026, here is the reality: the show is no longer a "procedural of the week" in the traditional sense. It’s a serialized psychological thriller.
- Watch Evolution in Order: Don't try to jump into Season 18 without watching 16 and 17. The Gold Star and Sicarius plots are so intertwined that you’ll be completely lost.
- Keep an eye on Paramount+: They are the exclusive home for the new seasons. While the old CBS episodes are everywhere, the Evolution era is strictly streaming.
- Watch the Cast's Social Media: The actors frequently direct episodes now. Joe Mantegna and Aisha Tyler have become staples behind the camera, and their behind-the-scenes posts often leak the best info about filming schedules.
The BAU has survived cancellations, cast overhauls, and a literal move to a different network. With Season 19 already in production, the question isn't whether there will be a Season 18—it's how much longer this "Evolution" can keep getting darker.
Actionable Insight: If you've finished Season 18, go back and re-watch the Season 16 finale. Now that we know about the "Disciple" and the true nature of Voit's relationship with Cyrus, the early hints in the revival take on an entirely different meaning. It's the best way to spot the breadcrumbs the writers have been dropping for years.