Criminal Minds (franchise)

Criminal Minds is a media franchise of American television programs created by Jeff Davis. The police procedural thriller series follow the work of the members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI.

Criminal Minds
Created by
Original workCriminal Minds
Films and television
Television series
Games
Video game(s)Criminal Minds

The inaugural television series aired on CBS from September 22, 2005 to February 19, 2020. In 2022,[1] the series would be revived by Paramount+ under the title Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Two spin-offs have been produced: Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior on February 16, 2011, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders on March 16, 2016. A true crime series, titled The Real Criminal Minds was ordered by Paramount+ in 2021.[2] A video game based on the series was released in April 2012.

Three television series make up the Criminal Minds franchise: Criminal Minds, Suspect Behavior, and Beyond Borders. All series in total amount to 383 episodes across 20 seasons of television.

Overview

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Criminal Minds

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The series is set primarily at the BAU based in Quantico, Virginia, and focuses on profiling the criminal, called the unsub (unknown subject), rather than the actual crime itself. The focal point of the series follows a group of FBI profilers who set about catching various criminals through behavioral profiling. The plot focuses on the team working cases and the personal lives of the characters, depicting the hardened life and statutory requirements of a profiler.

Criminal Minds: Evolution

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In February 2021, a revival of the series was in early development at Paramount+,[3] with 10 episodes officially green-lit.[4] It was confirmed to still be in development during the Television Critics Association winter press tour a year later.[5] In July 2022, Paramount+ officially gave the revival a full season order. The main cast of the original series returned, with the absence of Daniel Henney and Matthew Gray Gubler (the latter who has been with the series since the first episode).[6] It began filming in August 2022.[7]

Evolution has since been referred to as a continuation of the CBS series, rather than a separate series entirely. Its "first season" was released by CBS Home Entertainment as the "sixteenth season" of the series overall.[8]

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior

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In early 2009, Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly said that he and studios were discussing the possibility of a spin-off of the procedural crime drama Criminal Minds. Studio Producer Ed Bernero confirmed it by disclosing that "it's safe to say there will be something soon." The show had a completely new cast, with the exception of Kirsten Vangsness, who reprised her role as Penelope Garcia. By late 2010, the director had been chosen, and the casting completed.[9] It was announced that Forest Whitaker would star. Whitaker's character, Samuel "Sam" "Coop" Cooper, and his team were introduced in Criminal Minds Season 5.[10][11] Richard Schiff had a recurring role as FBI Director Jack Fickler.[12]

The series centers on the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit Red cell team a hand-picked elite team which operates outside of the Bureaucracy way. The team is led by veteran FBI profiler SSA Sam Cooper and they report only to the Director of the FBI.

Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

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A proposed new series in the Criminal Minds franchise was announced in January 2015 entitled Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Gary Sinise and Anna Gunn had been cast in the lead roles of Jack Garrett and Lily Lambert, with Tyler James Williams and Daniel Henney being cast as Russ "Monty" Montgomery and Matthew "Matt" Simmons, respectively. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders follows an elite team of FBI agents solving cases that involve American citizens on international soil.[13] CBS aired a backdoor pilot on an episode of Criminal Minds on April 8, 2015, introducing the characters with a crossover episode titled "Beyond Borders".[13][14]

On May 8, 2015, CBS announced that Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, has been picked up for the 2015–16 season, however, it was soon announced that Gunn had departed the series,[15] with Alana de la Garza and Annie Funke further being cast as series regulars.[16] The series was originally intended to premiere on March 2, 2016, but was pushed back by two weeks and instead premiered on March 16, 2016, and filled the Wednesday 10:00pm time slot, airing immediately after the original Criminal Minds.[17] On May 16, 2016, CBS renewed the series for a second season.[18] On May 14, 2017, CBS canceled the series after two seasons due to low ratings.[19]

Series

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Series Television seasons
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 Duration
Criminal Minds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2005–2020
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior Pilot 1 2010, 2011
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Pilot 1 2 2015, 2016–17
Criminal Minds: Evolution 1 2 3 2022–present

Characters

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Character No. of episode appearances Actor First Last
Series
Criminal Minds Suspect Behavior Beyond Borders Evolution
Jason Gideon Main Mandy Patinkin 2005 2007
Aaron Hotchner Main Thomas Gibson 2005 2016
Elle Greenaway Main Lola Glaudini 2005 2006
Derek Morgan Main Shemar Moore 2005 2017
Spencer Reid Main Matthew Gray Gubler 2005 2020
Jennifer Jareau Main Main A. J. Cook 2005 present
Penelope Garcia[N 1] Main Main Guest Main Kirsten Vangsness 2005 present
Emily Prentiss Main Guest Main Paget Brewster 2006 present
David Rossi Main Guest Main Joe Mantegna 2007 present
Ashley Seaver Main Rachel Nichols 2010 2011
Alex Blake Main Jeanne Tripplehorn 2012 2014
Kate Callahan Main Jennifer Love Hewitt 2014 2015
Tara Lewis Main Main Aisha Tyler 2015 present
Luke Alvez Main Main Adam Rodriguez 2016 present
Stephen Walker Main Damon Gupton 2016 2017
Sam Cooper Guest Main Forest Whitaker 2010 2011
Beth Griffith Main Janeane Garofalo 2011 2011
Johnatan Sims Guest Main Michael Kelly 2010 2011
Gina LaSalle Guest Main Beau Garrett 2010 2011
Mick Rawson Guest Main Matt Ryan 2010 2011
Jack Garrett Guest Main Gary Sinise 2015 2017
Clara Seger Guest Main Alana de la Garza 2016 2017
Matthew Simmons[N 2] Main Main Daniel Henney 2015 2020
Russ Montgomery Guest Main Tyler James Williams 2015 2017
Mae Jarvis Main Annie Funke 2016 2017
  1. ^ Kirsten Vangsness joined the main cast of Suspect Behavior throughout the series, while also maintaining her original role on Criminal Minds. Kirsten is also the first and only actress to appear in all three series in the franchise.
  2. ^ Daniel Henney joined the main cast of Criminal Minds in the thirteenth season after Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was cancelled.

Crossovers

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Crossover between Episode Type Actors crossing over Date aired
Series A Series B Series C
Criminal Minds Suspect Behavior "The Fight"
(Criminal Minds season 5 episode 18)
Backdoor Pilot April 7, 2010
The BAU team travels to San Francisco to investigate the murders of several homeless men that occurred over the last three years. They begin working with another team of BAU agents who are investigating the murders of father-daughter duos, also occurring over the last three years, when both cases are connected. This episode launches the spin-off, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.
Criminal Minds Beyond Borders "Beyond Borders"
(Criminal Minds season 10 episode 19)
Backdoor Pilot April 8, 2015
When a family of four is abducted while on vacation in Barbados and the case is connected to one investigated in Florida the previous year, the BAU works with Jack Garrett and his International Response Team to find out who is behind these crimes.
Beyond Borders Criminal Minds "The Harmful One"
(Beyond Borders season 1 episode 1)
Guest Appearance March 16, 2016
David Rossi in the opening scene is at the firing range with Jack Garrett.
Beyond Borders Criminal Minds "Denial"
(Beyond Borders season 1 episode 3)
Guest Appearance March 30, 2016
Penelope Garcia in the opening scene looking for her octopus coffee mug that Russ Montgomery took.
Criminal Minds Beyond Borders "Spencer"
(Criminal Minds season 12 episode 13)
Guest Appearance February 15, 2017
When BAU member Spencer Reid gets in trouble in Mexico, the team enlists the services of the Clara Seger and Matthew Simmons from the International Response Team for their help.
Beyond Borders Criminal Minds "Lost Souls"
(Beyond Borders season 2 episode 1)
Guest Appearance March 8, 2017
Monty asks Garcia for help looking for the next of kin of the 23-member American church group that wenting missing in Tanzania.
Beyond Borders Criminal Minds "Il Mostro"
(Beyond Borders season 2 episode 2)
Guest Appearance March 15, 2017
When two American couples are gunned down in Florence in Italy, the IRT works with David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and the Italian authorities to determine whether or not Italy's most infamous serial killer has returned.
Beyond Borders Criminal Minds "Type A"
(Beyond Borders season 2 episode 10)
Guest Appearance May 3, 2017
BAU Unit Chief, Emily Prentiss, brings a case to the IRT about an American that has committed a crime in Taipei that’s similar to an unsolved case in New York.

Video game

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CBS announced in October 2009 that Legacy Interactive would develop a video game based on the show. The game would require players to examine crime scenes for clues to help solve murder mysteries. The interactive puzzle game was released in 2012, but the show's cast was not involved with the project so it did not feature any of their voices.[20][21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ White, Peter (February 24, 2021). "'Criminal Minds': Paramount+ Lays Out Plan To Revive Procedural Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 24, 2021). "'The Real Criminal Minds' Docuseries In Works At Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Petski, Denise (February 19, 2021). "'Criminal Minds' Revival In Early Development At Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ White, Peter (February 24, 2021). "'Criminal Minds': Paramount+ Lays Out Plan To Revive Procedural Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 1, 2022). "Criminal Minds Revival Is Not DOA at Paramount+: 'It Is Alive and Well'". TVLine. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 13, 2022). "'Criminal Minds' Revival A Go At Paramount+ With Key Cast Members & Showrunner Set To Return". Deadline Hollywood.
  7. ^ "Joe Mantegna on Instagram: "Day 2 of filming, we're back! #criminalminds #davidrossi #paparossi #criminalmindscast #paramountplus #criminalmindsfan #cbs #wheelsup #instgramreels #viralreels #television #streaming"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  8. ^ "Season 16 of 'Criminal Minds' Headed to DVD and Blu-ray June 20". Media Play News. May 3, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  9. ^ De Leon, Kris (July 7, 2008). "'Criminal Minds' Spin-Off in the Works". BuddyTV. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  10. ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 25, 2010). "Scoop: Forest Whitaker to headline 'Criminal Minds' spin-off!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  11. ^ Barney, Chuck (April 7, 2010). "'Criminal Minds' star is Moore than meets the eye". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  12. ^ Bryant, Adam (August 5, 2010). "West Wing Star Richard Schiff Joins Criminal Minds Spinoff". TV Guide. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Hibberd, James (December 12, 2014). "'Criminal Minds' doing new spinoff". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  14. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (December 12, 2014). "New Criminal Minds Spin-Off in the Works, to Follow Globe-Trotting Team". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "How The Criminal Minds Spinoff Will Replace Anna Gunn". Cinema Blend. 28 May 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Alana De La Garza & Annie Funke Join 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders'". Deadline. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  17. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 8, 2016). "'Rush Hour' Series Sets Premiere Date, CBS Shifts 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders'". The Wrap. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 16, 2016). "'Code Black', 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders', 'The Odd Couple' & 'Undercover Boss' Renewed By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  19. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (14 May 2017). "'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' Canceled at CBS7". hollywoodreporter.com.
  20. ^ "Criminal Minds Game Blog" (Press release). November 1, 2011.
  21. ^ "CBS Consumer Products Announces Eight New Video Games Based on Popular TV Shows" (Press release). CBS Interactive. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  22. ^ "Interview: Thomas Gibson". ShaveMagazine.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2012.