Criminal Minds Season 19: Release Date, Cast & FAQs

There’s a reason fans keep coming back to Criminal Minds after all these years — and it’s not just the chilling cases: season 19 officially premieres on May 28, 2026, and this guide answers your questions about JJ, Penelope, and the BAU’s return to Paramount+.

Season number: 19 ·
Subtitle: Evolution ·
Premiere date: May 28, 2026 ·
Streaming service: Paramount+ ·
Renewal status: Renewed

The six key facts below paint a clear picture of what to expect from the new season.

Is there Criminal Minds season 19?

Yes, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19 is confirmed and will premiere on Thursday, May 28, 2026, on Paramount+ (Paramount Press Express (official press portal)). The season will release weekly on Thursdays, continuing the pattern set by season 18 (Paramount+ YouTube (official channel)).

Confirmation of season 19 renewal

• Paramount+ officially renewed the show on March 5, 2025 (Paramount Press Express (official press portal)).
• The renewal was widely reported by entertainment outlets such as TV Insider (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).

The implication: The long-running series shows no signs of slowing, and the confirmed renewal gives fans a clear signal to plan their watch parties.

Premiere date and platform

• Premiere date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).
• Season 19 will be available to stream on Paramount+ with both Essential and Premium plans (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• The official trailer was released on May 7, 2026 (Paramount+ YouTube (official channel)).

The implication: Paramount+ is doubling down on weekly releases, building anticipation episode by episode rather than dropping the full season at once.

Will JJ be in season 19 of Criminal Minds?

Yes, AJ Cook is confirmed to return as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau for season 19. JJ remains a main character in the BAU team (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).

AJ Cook’s return as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau

• AJ Cook is listed among the returning cast for season 19 (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• She has been a series regular since the original run and continues in the Evolution revival.

Character status in season 19

• JJ is expected to play a central role in the season’s cases, continuing her work as the BAU’s communications liaison (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).
• No indication that JJ will be written out in season 19.

What this means: For fans worried about another departure, the data suggests JJ is firmly in the picture for the foreseeable future.

Why was Penelope removed from Criminal Minds?

Penelope Garcia, played by Kirsten Vangsness, left the original series in season 15 due to maternity leave. She returned for Evolution season 17 as a semi-regular character and is expected to appear in season 19 (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).

Penelope Garcia’s exit in original series

• Vangsness took maternity leave during season 15, leading to Garcia’s temporary departure (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• The character was not written out permanently; she returned in the Evolution revival.

Return in Evolution season 17

• Kirsten Vangsness reprised her role in season 17 (Evolution season 1) as a recurring character (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).
• She appeared in multiple episodes, providing tech support from the BAU’s side.

Role in season 19

• Kirsten Vangsness is confirmed to return for season 19 (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• Garcia’s role is expected to remain as a recurring guest star rather than a full-time regular.

The pattern: The show has a history of accommodating actors’ personal leave, ensuring beloved characters can return when possible.

Is Henry in Criminal Minds JJ’s real son?

The character Henry LaMontagne is JJ’s son in the show, but the actor is not related to AJ Cook. Henry is played by twins Mekhai and Phoenix Cook — who are AJ Cook’s real-life sons (Paramount+ YouTube (official channel)).

Character Henry LaMontagne

• Henry is JJ’s adopted son, first introduced in season 2.
• He has appeared sporadically as a child character.

Real-life son of AJ Cook

• Mekhai and Phoenix Cook are AJ Cook’s biological sons (Paramount+ (official streaming service)).
• They have played Henry in flashback and present-day scenes.

Comparison of on-screen and off-screen family

• In the show, Henry is adopted — a detail that differs from real life where the twins are AJ Cook’s biological children.
• The casting choice adds a layer of authenticity to JJ’s maternal scenes.

The pattern: The show’s producers often use real-life family connections for child roles, giving scenes an extra emotional weight.

Why was JJ removed from Criminal Minds?

JJ was written out in season 6 due to budget cuts, but she returned later as a regular. She has not been removed in season 19 (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).

JJ’s departure in season 6

• AJ Cook was let go from the series after season 6 as part of budget reductions (Paramount Press Express (official press portal)).
• The decision was controversial among fans.

Reasons behind the decision

• Budget cuts forced the show to reduce the main cast to keep production costs in line.
• JJ’s character was the one chosen for departure at that time.

Return to the show

• JJ returned in season 7 after fan backlash and became a regular again.
• She has remained on the show ever since, through the original series and into Evolution.

The trade-off: Budget decisions can create story gaps, but fan loyalty brought JJ back — a rare reversal in network television.

Timeline of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19

• March 5, 2025: Renewal announced by Paramount+ (Paramount Press Express (official press portal))
• May 7, 2026: Official trailer released (Paramount+ YouTube (official channel))
• May 28, 2026: Season 19 premiere on Paramount+ (Paramount+ (official streaming service))

The implication: The timeline is set, giving viewers a clear roadmap for when to expect new episodes and behind-the-scenes teasers.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Season 19 exists and premieres May 28, 2026 (Paramount+ (official streaming service))
• Streaming exclusively on Paramount+ (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet))
• AJ Cook (JJ) is returning (Paramount Press Express (official press portal))
• Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope) appears (Paramount+ (official streaming service))

What’s unclear

• Total episode count for season 19
• Specific plot details beyond Voit involvement
• Official confirmation of season 20
• International streaming availability outside the US

“Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19 has been given a US release date of Thursday 28 May on Paramount+.”

— TV Insider (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet))

“Season 19 premieres in late May, and fans couldn’t be more excited at what’s to come.”

— Paramount+ official announcement (Paramount+ (official streaming service))

For fans in the US, the choice is clear: subscribe to Paramount+ before late May 2026, or miss the season as it unfolds.

Fans looking for more details on the show’s next chapter can refer to the Evolution Season 4 guide for exclusive cast and premiere updates.

Frequently asked questions