Criminal Minds, the CBS procedural that popularized the idea of profiling criminals through behavioral analysis, ended its original run in 2020 after fifteen seasons. The series finale, "And in the End...," aired on February 19, 2020, as part of a two-hour event alongside the season sixteen premiere of its spinoff Criminal Minds: Evolution. The finale brought closure to long-running character arcs while honoring the show's focus on ensemble storytelling, forensic psychology, and team dynamics. This explainer covers how the series concluded, what happened to the main cast, and how the franchise evolved beyond the original run.
Original Series Finale: "And in the End..."
The season fifteen finale functioned as both a series conclusion and a transitional event for the broader Criminal Minds universe. In "And in the End...," the team confronts an escalating case that tests their expertise and cohesion, culminating in moments that address loyalty, legacy, and the personal costs of investigative work. The episode balances procedural elements with emotional resolution, reflecting the show's long commitment to character-driven storytelling. Viewers seeking closure saw key relationships and unresolved threads approached with narrative intention, even as the episode emphasized the continuity of the team's mission beyond individual departures.
Main Cast: Final Season Status
By the time of the finale, the ensemble had evolved through seasons of turnover, retirements, and new affiliations. The following table summarizes confirmed cast roles and their final-season participation as originally reported by CBS and major entertainment outlets.
| Cast Member | Character | Final Season (15) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Mantegna | David Rossi | Present | Continued beyond finale; later reduced schedule |
| Thomas Gibson | Aaron Hotchner | Departed mid-season | Written out before finale; special guest consideration noted |
| Shemar Moore | Derek Morgan | Departed season 11 | Returned for finale events only |
| Matthew Gray Gubler | Spencer Reid | Present | Continued in subsequent franchise media |
| A.J. Cook | Jennifer Jareau | Present (with interruptions) | Returned for finale; active in franchise |
| Kirsten Vangsness | Penelope Garcia | Present | Continued beyond finale |
| Daniel Henney | Luke Alvez | Present | Introduced season 12; present at finale |
| Adam Rodriguez | Luke AlvezJoined season 11 | Present at finale; later pursued other projects | |
| Jeanne Tripplehorn | Dr. Alex BlakeJoined season 12 | Not present at finale | |
| Aisha Tyler | Dr. Tara LewisJoined season 12 | Present at finale; continued in franchise |
Confirmed Main Cast in Final Episode
- Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
- Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid
- A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau
- Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
- Daniel Henney as Luke Alvez
- Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez
Departed Before Finale
- Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner
- Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan (special return)
- Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dr. Alex Blake
Post-Series Continuity and Spinoffs
After the original run, the Criminal Minds franchise extended through sequels, reboots, and revived series. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders explored international cases with a rotating team, while Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior offered a short-lived alternate unit storyline. Later, Criminal Minds: Evolution revived the core team in a streaming format, marking a return to serialized storytelling under the original creative ethos. These efforts maintained the brand's focus on profiling, team dynamics, and the psychological toll of investigative work while adapting to changing audience expectations and streaming distribution models.
Critical and Cultural Legacy
Throughout its run, Criminal Minds influenced the procedural genre by emphasizing forensic psychology, team banter, and long-form character development. Its formula of "case of the week" blended with season-long arcs helped define 2000s and 2010s procedural television. The show balanced dark subject matter with moments of humor and camaraderie, supported by a consistent ensemble and recurring guest stars. Though the original series concluded, its approach to criminal profiling and character-centric storytelling remains a reference point within crime drama, contributing to the sustained popularity of the franchise across new platforms and formats.
Notable Milestones in the Original Run
| Date or Period | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2005 | Series premiere | Established long-running procedural model on CBS |
| 2014 | Leadership change (showrunners) | Shifted tone and pacing in later seasons |
| 2017 | Prequel Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders | Tested international case format and new cast |
| February 19, 2020 | Original series finale | Concluded 15-season arc; launched franchise continuation |
| 2022 | Criminal Minds: Evolution revival | Returned to subscription streaming; mixed reception |
Enduring Influence and Viewer Takeaways
Criminal Minds remains notable for its sustained run, detailed profiling focus, and ensemble chemistry. The finale honored long-serving cast while acknowledging turnover, offering resolution without closing off franchise potential. For viewers, the series reinforced the value of specialized units, interagency collaboration, and psychological insight in law enforcement storytelling. Although later entries received varied reviews, the foundational approach to crime-solving and character continuity established in the original run continues to inform how audiences engage with procedural dramas.