Is there any chance that the series will return with a remarkable comeback?
We all heard the news when it was first announced that Criminal Minds might be done for good and canceled after Season 14. However, it was later revealed that the series’ final season would be its 15th season as an excellent way to close the show and its characters’ story arcs, which the producers were hoping would be the best route to take in this franchise.
Once again, rumors circulated that the series had not been canceled and that it would return to television screens for another season, which we aren’t even sure will be the final season at this point.
To say the least, die-hard fans of the show are relieved that the series has a chance to return and continue with its core plot and characters.
The CBS Network planned to replace Criminal Minds with new shows in the series’ designated time slot, which prompted many reports of its cancellation. Despite receiving positive feedback and applause from viewers and critics, it came as a surprise that the network hoped to make this happen.
After months of debate on social media among fans, miracles are on the way because the series has been revived for yet another season, which will be the franchise’s 16th installment – Criminal Minds Season 16. Thanks to the digital era, streaming services are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional television viewing.
Paramount+ is one such recently launched platform for streaming movies and TV series across different genres as per the user’s preference. Who knew that this service would become the lifeline of Criminal Minds’ renewal for the upcoming season. Continue to read to know every detail we know about Criminal Minds Season 16 so far:
Is Criminal Mind renewed for another season?
As per reports, Criminal Minds Season 16 is happening, and it will debut on CBS Network, with production beginning this summer. The renewal was announced just a year after the conclusion of Criminal Minds Season 15 by the show’s producer, Paramount+.
That’s not the only good news as in addition, the debut of a new true-crime series, The Real Criminal Minds, has been announced by Paramount+. So the fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
Of course, no one does crime procedurals like @CBS. #ParamountPlus will have a huge library of fan-favorites, including all 15 seasons of @CrimMinds_CBS. Plus a new scripted #CriminalMinds series and a new true crime series, The Real Criminal Minds. pic.twitter.com/0IqxyBgQEQ
— Paramount+ (@paramountplus) February 24, 2021
Criminal Minds Season 16 Release Date
Previously, it was reported that the series is still in its early stages of development, with the screenplay and decision of which cast members will return being decided to make the series work effectively and provide fans with something exciting to look forward to.
Furthermore, the confirmed release dates have yet to be announced, and the series appears to be in its pitch stage; any such details are expected to be released soon as the production gains momentum.
Criminal Minds Season 16 Plot
As mentioned above, Criminal Minds Season 16 is still in the pitch stage, so confirmation about the plot is in doubt because the show’s creators and producers have not shared any details.
However, the reboot of the series is expected to begin right after the final episode of Season 15, as it makes sense for the episodes to progress and expand this universe further. This is the only way to re-capture the attention of die-hard fans and bring them back into the series after a period of delays.
Which members of the cast are returning for Criminal Minds Season 16?
Six Criminal Minds cast members from Season 15 are in talks to return for Criminal Minds Season 16 on Paramount+, including:
- Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
- Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
- Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez
- A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau
- Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis
- Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
Many fans, however, have noted that Daniel Henney, who plays Matt Simmons, and Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr. Spencer Reid in the series, have not been reported to reprise their roles despite appearing in every episode of the show.
Any updates about the absence are not revealed or confirmed yet.
Where to watch Criminal Minds?
The series is available on various digital streaming platforms, depending on where you live. For the viewers in the US, Criminal Minds are available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Vudu.
How many episodes will be there in Criminal Minds Season 16?
The series had approximately 20-24 episodes from Season 1 to Season 13. Still, it drastically changed when Season 14 premiered and was reduced to 15 episodes, followed by even fewer episodes in Season 15, approximately 10 episodes titled as the following:
- S15E1 – Under the Skin
- S15E2 – Awakenings
- S15E3 – Spectator Slowing
- S15E4 – Saturday
- S15E5 – Ghost
- S15E6 – Date Night
- S15E7 – Rusty
- S15E8 – Family Tree
- S15E9 – Face-Off
- S15E10 – And in the End
We can’t confirm such details at this point, but Criminal Minds Season 16 might follow the pattern of Season 15 and have 10 episodes at least.
What is the runtime of each episode in the series?
With a total of 15 seasons and 324 episodes, each episode in the season is expected to last 42 minutes on average.
Take a look at the fan’s reaction to the series renewal:
CRIMINAL MINDS ON PARAMOUNT PLUS WHO ELSE JUMPED pic.twitter.com/uf7tqAqDz6
— riley ⧗ (@practicalmaqic) March 14, 2021
im 🤏🏽 to redeeming paramount plus for a year but imma need criminal minds to hurry and come back
— 🍃 (@FuktJoj) April 8, 2022
The overall synopsis of the series so far:
According to IMDB,
The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (B.A.U.) is based in Quantico, Virginia. Local police departments call in the B.A.U. to assist in solving crimes of a serial and highly violent nature where the perpetrator is unknown (referred to by the Unit as the unknown subject or “unsub” for short), and the Unit uses the controversial scientific art of profiling to track down and apprehend the unsub.
Profiling entails developing essential characteristics of the unsub and victims (referred to as the victimology), using evidence from the case, and matching that information to historic precedents and psychological analyses to solve the issue.
The reception of the series:
- Critics gave the first season of Criminal Minds mixed reviews.
- Based on 21 reviews, it has a Metacritic score of 42, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”
- According to IMDb, the series gained 8.2 out of 10 with 188k votes.
Check out the promo of Criminal Minds Season 15 Series Finale below:
While you wait for Criminal Minds Season 16, catch up on all 15 seasons of Criminal Minds.