It may seem hard to believe and disappointing for many fans, but Criminal Minds is finally wrapping up its successful run with a final 15th season.
Some may have let it slip their minds since Criminal Minds didn’t have a fall season with the rest of the CBS lineup, but that is because the final season will be a shortened 10-episode run.
Here is when Criminal Minds will return for its final season and what fans can expect.
Criminal Minds return date
Criminal Minds will be back when the winter break ends and the final 15h season will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 8. This will be a special two-hour season premiere event beginning at 9/8c on CBS.
The 10 episodes will also be over before you know it, with the series finale tapped for Wednesday, Feb. 19, with another two hours of episodes, also starting at 9/8c on CBS.
That is just seven weeks of Criminal Minds final 15th season. Just to throw fans off, the episode on Feb. 12 will be pushed back one hour, airing at 10/9c because of the two-hour premiere of Survivor that night.
For subscribers of CBS All-Access, every episode of the final season of Criminal Minds will be available the next day after it airs.
Who is in Criminal Minds final season?
While there have been major changes in the Criminal Minds cast over the years, there are still some familiar faces returning for the final season.
Longtime characters David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Jennifer Jareau (A.J. Cook), Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), and Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) will all return.
Newer returning cast members include Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler), Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez), and Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney).
Also returning is Jane Lynch as Reid’s mother Diana and a final showdown with the villain, The Chameleon (Michael Mosley).
Criminal Minds returns to CBS on Jan. 8 at 9/8c.