The procedural series Criminal Minds: Evolution resurrected the original show after a short stint off the air, and now it is set to return for season 3. Continuing the success of Criminal Minds which ran from 2005 until 2020, Evolution follows the familiar FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit team as they try to crack the touch case of the Gold Star killer. Unlike the original series, which was a pure procedural and featured an episodic format, Evolution shifted toward a serialized narrative involving one long ongoing storyline that has carried over between its two seasons thus far.

Welcomed back by fans with open arms, Criminal Minds: Evolution was an unsurprising hit and was swiftly green-lit for a second season on Paramount+. In Evolution's second season, the team continues to hunt for the elusive Gold Star, while being forced to get help from another notorious criminal who has vexed them for years. The serialized nature of the newest seasons has been a refreshing change of pace, and helps set Criminal Minds: Evolution apart from the plethora of other procedurals in TV history. All this sets the stage for an explosive season 3, and Paramount+ has already renewed.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Latest News

A Trailer For Season 3 Has Arrived

Around a month after Paramount+ put the show on the schedule, the latest news comes in the form of a trailer for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3. Hinting at what may be the darkest season in the franchise's illustrious history, the trailer opens with a weighty conversation between Prentiss and Green as the experienced agent explains the nature of their job. It then shows various creepy scenes involving Voit and his followers, before concluding with a classic Garcia line.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Release Date

The BAU Returns In May

the streamer has already renewed the show for a fourth season, technically making it the 19th season in the illustrious history of Criminal Minds.

Following the swift renewal of the series, it's clear that Paramount+ wants Criminal Minds: Evolution to become a yearly staple. As such, they've already announced the release date for season 3, with the 10-episode season set to begin on May 8, 2025. The episodes will air every Thursday on Paramount+, and the streamer has already renewed the show for a fourth season, technically making it the 19th season in the illustrious history of Criminal Minds.

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 concluded on August 1, 2024.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Cast

Which BAU Team Will Return?

As the ending of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 proved, the new serialized version of the procedural is not afraid to put main characters in danger. With that in mind, the cast of season 3 is anything but certain, and Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) was left hanging by a thread after his prison attack. However, its certain that the BAU team will be on hand to reprise their roles including Joe Mantegna as the stalwart leader, David Rossi. Furthermore, veterans like Paget Brewster and Kirsten Vangsness should also be expected back as Prentiss and Garcia, respectively.

Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid) revealed he has shot new scenes for Criminal Minds, and he'll appear in a single episode in season 3.

The cast of season 3 has already begun to grow with the addition of Aimee Garcia (Lucifer) as Dr. Julia Ochoa in a multi-episode arc. The character is a brilliant neuropsychiatrist who is expected to clash with Alvez over her unorthodox methods. Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid) revealed he has shot new scenes for Criminal Minds, and he'll appear in a single episode in season 3.

The prospective cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 includes:

Will Reid & Morgan Return In Season 3?

The Original Series Stars Were Not In Seasons 1 & 2

Perhaps the most discussed aspect of Criminal Minds: Evolution has been the absence of original series actors Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid and Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan. Gubler starred in all 15 seasons of the original series, while Moore departed in season 11. Both have been sorely missed in the rebooted series thus far, but their returns have potentially left open. Gubler's Reid is still employed by the FBI in the show's universe, and he is simply away on another assignment.

Morgan's return is a bit less open, and when he departed the series, his character also departed the FBI entirely. However, with Moore's other series, S.W.A.T. potentially ending soon, he could return somehow. Likewise, Gubler mentioned in December 2024 that he had shot a new episode of Criminal Minds, and will now appear in a single installment of season 3.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Story Details

Did Voit Survive The Attack?

Season 2 of Evolution wrapped up the Gold Star storyline but left plenty of cliffhangers for season 3 to resolve. First and foremost, Elias Voit's identity was leaked, which led to a dangerous attack in prison. Voit's fate is left up in the air, though actor Zach Gilford is confirmed to return in season 3. Even if Gold Star has been solved, there is clearly a bigger conspiracy afoot which could pull the team into another mind-bending journey in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 and beyond.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Trailer

Watch The Teaser Trailer For Evolution Below

With only a few weeks to go until the show's return, Paramount+ dropped a trailer for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 in April 2025. The teaser opens with a serious conversation between Prentiss and Green as the former lectures the latter about the nature of their work. It then shows several creepy scenes involving masked figures, and Voit is back to his usual evildoing. For a bit of levity, the trailer ends with Garcia dropping one of her signature lines.