Series Finale Airdate and Context
The original run of Criminal Minds concluded with its fifteenth and final season on CBS in 2020. The series finale, titled “And in the End,” aired on February 19, 2020. This episode wrapped long-running storylines for the Behavioral Analysis Unit team. It is important to distinguish this from the 2022 Paramount+ revival, which featured a new cast and storyline and did not continue from the original finale. The 2020 finale remains the last episode produced under the original series format and main cast lineup.
Season 15 Finale: Episode Details
Season 15, Episode 10 “And in the End” served as both the season and series conclusion for the original Criminal Minds lineup on CBS. The episode aired on a Wednesday in February 2020, delivering closure for several character arcs that had developed over the show’s long history. It was framed as the culmination of the team’s work at the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. The finale was part of CBS’s regular season schedule and was not labeled as a special event episode, though it carried the weight of being the final chapter of the original iteration.
Timeline of the Original Run
Criminal Minds originally premiered on CBS in 2005 and built a substantial audience through its focus on forensic profiling and character-driven storytelling. Over its first fourteen seasons, the show established a reliable midseason and fall schedule, with occasional shifts due to real-world events or broadcast planning. Below is a concise table summarizing key broadcast dates and seasons for quick reference.
| Season | Season Premiere | Season Finale | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | September 22, 2005 | May 17, 2006 | Series debut |
| Season 14 | October 3, 2108 | May 1, 2019 | Transition toward Season 15 |
| Season 15 | January 8, 2020 | February 19, 2020 | Final episodes of original series |
Series Revival on Paramount+
In 2021, it was announced that Criminal Minds would return as a revival series on Paramount+. The new iteration premiered in November 2022 with a largely new cast and was produced under a different arrangement than the original. While it carries the Criminal Minds title and premise, it does not continue the narrative or timeline of the original finale. The revival ran for several episodes and was subsequently renewed for a second season on Paramount+. This distinction is important for viewers tracking whether a given episode belongs to the original series or the newer revival.
Viewing Options and Availability
Episodes from the original Criminal Minds remain available on streaming services and digital purchase platforms. In many regions, the full series catalog is accessible via Paramount+, which hosts both the original seasons and the newer revival under one subscription umbrella. Repeats may also appear on linear television channels that license classic CBS programming. Viewer access can vary by region due to licensing agreements, so checking local availability is recommended.
Distinguishing Original Series and Revival
Because the revival adopted the Criminal Minds name, some viewers may be unsure which timeline an episode belongs to. The original series features long-running character ensembles and concluded in 2020 with a definitive finale. The revival introduces new team dynamics and cases and should not be conflated with the original run. Recognizing production years, showrunners, and main cast lists can help identify which era an episode belongs to.