The seventeenth season of the American police procedural crime drama television series Criminal Minds, now subtitled Evolution, follows members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they are faced with a network of serial killers built during the COVID-19 pandemic. The season serves as a second season revival of the series after its original run on CBS ended four years earlier.
The season premiered on June 5, 2024 on Paramount+ in the U.S. and on Disney+ in other regions on June 7, 2024. The season's story arc follows members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they investigate the mystery of "Gold Star", however, they are forced to work with Elias Voit when he "negotiates a deal that transfers him to federal custody, in the BAU's own backyard".
One day prior to the premiere of season seventeen, Criminal Minds: Evolution was renewed for an eighteenth season.
Cast Main Joe Mantegna as David Rossi A. J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis Zach Gilford as Elias Voit Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
Recurring Nicole Pacent as Rebecca Wilson Brian J. White as Vincent Orlov Paul F. Tompkins as Brian Garrity Kiele Sanchez as Sydney Voit Liana Liberato as Jade Waters David Garelik as Damien Booth Felicity Huffman as Dr. Jill Gideon
Guest Clark Gregg as FBI Director Ray Madison Tuc Watkins as Frank Church Nicholas D'Agosto as Deputy Director Doug Bailey Alex Saxon as Pete Bailey
Episodes
Production Development The seventeenth season of Criminal Minds was announced on January 12, 2023. It is marketed by Paramount+ as the "second season" of Criminal Minds: Evolution; which was originally announced as a revival series.
The first two episodes of the new season was released on June 6, followed by weekly releases. The new season premiered on June 7, 2024 on Disney+ in Canada.
Casting
The entire main cast from the previous season will return, with the additions of Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green and Zach Gilford as Elias Voit who were promoted to series regulars this season, after recurring in the previous season.
On January 17, 2024, Josh Stewart revealed that after 16 years, he will not reprise his role as Will LaMontagne Jr. this season, stating that his "days of playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over."
Fans have speculated that Matthew Gray Gubler, the actor of Spencer Reid, may be returning to the show, having not been present in the previous season due to scheduling conflicts. On September 29, 2023, Gubler expressed his willingness to return.
In April, it was announced that Felicity Huffman would guest-star as Dr. Jill Gideon, the ex-wife of Jason Gideon. On May 10, 2024, it was announced that Clark Gregg, Brian J. White and Tuc Watkins will be recurring throughout the season as FBI Director Ray Madison, Vincent Orlov and Frank Church, respectively. Paul F. Tompkins will reprise his role from season 15 as Brian Garrity.
Filming Filming and production for the seventeenth season of Criminal Minds officially commenced on January 18, 2024. Filming wrapped on May 10, 2024. Cast members Joe Mantegna, Aisha Tyler, A. J. Cook, Adam Rodriguez and Zach Gilford will be directing episodes this season
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