(Michael Yarish / CBS)
Human behavior can be difficult to predict — just ask the BAU. The Criminal Minds TV show has enjoyed a 13-season run on CBS and was renewed for a 14th season last week, despite declining Nielsen ratings. There has been speculation that season 14 would get a reduced episode order, designed to give the procedural a proper sendoff. Today at the Upfronts, the network revealed its new schedule, and season 14 will premiere in the fall of 2018, which indicates it could get a full season order, after all. It is certainly positioned for one.
A CBS crime drama, Criminal Minds stars Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, Daniel Henney, and Aisha Tyler. The action thriller follows the FBI’s elite Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) out of Quantico, Virginia. The BAU remains dedicated to understanding predators’ motive and triggers, in order to stop them before they strike again.
At CBS’ upfront press breakfast, the network’s entertainment president Kelly Kahl said that the exact order size for Criminal Minds has not been determined. (It is expected to be somewhere between 13-22 episodes.)
Will Season 14 be Criminal Minds‘ last? “Never say never with a show like Criminal Minds,” Kahl told Deadline, noting that the crime drama has “a very passionate audience.”
While the core cast of Criminal Minds is already locked in for next season, they will have to make new deals for a potential fifteenth season.
After a long run at 9 PM, Criminal Minds moved to 10 PM this season. It has improved the time period and is doing well in delayed viewing. The crime drama ended its 13th season on a cliffhanger. It will now be resolved in the Season 14 premiere, which will mark the show’s 300th episode.
Criminal Minds: A Look at the Ratings
The 13th season of Criminal Minds averaged a 0.99 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.73 million viewers. Compared to season 12, it was down by 29% and down by 23%, respectively. Find out how Criminal Minds stacks up against the other CBS TV shows.
Ratings usually decline over the life of a TV show. That’s nothing new. Criminal Minds, however, has dealt with some additional challenges in the recent past. Fan favorite Shemar Moore left to pursue other opportunities (although he guest starred in season 13) and wound up co-starring in the Tiffany Network’s SWAT reboot.
In addition to the loss of Moore, series original Thomas Gibson, who portrayed Aaron Hotchner, was fired early on, in the production of season 12. His terminated resulted from an on-set confrontation which allegedly turned physical. Fans were upset by both departures, which likely affected Criminal Minds‘ Nielsen performance.
What do you think? Are you still watching the Criminal Minds TV series? Do you plan to tune in for the 14th season on CBS? Should that end the series, or are there more stories to tell? Would you cancel or renew Criminal Minds for season 15?
will definitely be watching and hoping for more seasons to com
Will definitely watch season 14 and hope season 15 will be renewed as well as many more.
Please bring back Thomas Gibson he was a star on criminal minds
I certainly will watch season 14. I think there should be a season 15 and more since there are more stories to tell. My favourite CBS show. I watch reruns a lot.
I like criminal minds please bring back Thomas gibson
Love the show and will continue being a loyal viewer. Take it off the air and I’ll boycott all shows on this network.
The only show I watch. Well written thanks Erica. Jim Clemente amazing. Cast is endearing, I have seen every episode. Please a full season for 14th and beyond. My favorite is Matthew Grey Gubler. AJ Cook is wonderful. Thank you for renewing. There is much more to be written. Ideas are still suspenseful and apropos to the current times we live in.
I am so glad it is renewed. I often find some of the crimes you hear about in the news could compare to some of their cases
Bring back Hotch & get rid of Aisha Tyler. That would improve the show greatly. Loved this show from the start. Hope it gets full 14th season & beyond. Also, Reid should feature more + JJ & Will
A first year actor could play some of the main parts. They are so robotic, the only characters who are interesting are Reed, and Penelope. All of the others basically play the same part.
I do watch but only for the cases that is it.
Love Criminal Minds and I’m happy for another season and want a full season, not half.. Give us more seasons beyond 14! I’m all in!
I will still watch it. I’m so happy they renewed it. I’d love for Derek to do some guest spots and I wouldn’t really love to have Hotch back too.
I’m so happy that Criminal Minds was renewed!
I have watched every single episode of every season, and I’d be lost without this show!
I love the characters, and the emotion that they put into it!!!
Thank you for keeping it!!!!
Still watch it. still love it, will happily watch season 14 and any future seasons. I like the new cast too.
Hotchner needs to return.