Criminal Minds: Evolution recently unleashed its latest update, heralding the imminent arrival of Season 17 on Paramount+.
After a remarkable 15-season stint on CBS, the show underwent a transformation with the addition of the “Evolution” tag for its 16th season, exclusive to Paramount+, bringing back much of the original ensemble.
Under the guidance of Joe Mantegna’s David Rossi and the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), Season 16 delved deep into unearthing a network of serial killers that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Gets Development Update
In January 2023, the series was greenlit for Season 17, promising even grittier cases and narratives than its initial run spanning 2005 to 2020.
The developmental gears for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 17 were set in motion as Deadline revealed the opening of the writers’ room during the week of October 2.
The burning question now revolves around the series’ comeback on Paramount+, contingent upon the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Season 16 commenced filming (as per star Joe Mantegna) in August 2022, hitting Paramount+ screens in November, a swift three-and-a-half-month journey from production to release.
Should the actors’ strike reach a conclusion before year-end, indications point to a potential Spring 2024 premiere for Season 17, assuming filming kicks off in late 2023 or early 2024.
Shifting from the traditional network TV format to a streaming series, Criminal Minds: Evolution breaks free from the confines of a September/October release schedule. Notably, its first 14 seasons adhered to this pattern, barring Season 15 in 2020, marred by pandemic-induced delays.
What sets Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 17 apart? The revival takes bolder strides by delving deeper into the personal lives of its central characters, a departure from its CBS predecessor.
With fewer episodes compared to a standard network TV season, the focus sharpens on exploring the characters’ lives and encounters while weaving a more concentrated narrative around a central threat.
The watchful eye of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), reigning over broadcast television, had a lighter touch on Season 16, allowing for mature language and darker storylines.
Anticipations are high for Season 17 to continue this trajectory, teeing up another spine-chilling lineup of episodes as the BAU marches forward.
All 16 seasons of Criminal Minds: Evolution are currently available for streaming on Paramount+.
