The much-anticipated second season of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” won’t hit Paramount+ in August 2023 as anticipated. Unfortunately, the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike have caused delays in writing and production, leaving fans in suspense.
Despite initial expectations for the new season’s production to start later this year, the current lack of writers and actors due to ongoing negotiations means that shooting is unlikely to commence anytime soon. Recent discussions between the Writers Guild and the AMPTP failed to yield an agreement to resume negotiations, solidifying the certainty of further delays for the upcoming season.
Adding to the setback, no scripts for the new episodes have been penned, which means that production cannot begin immediately even after the strike concludes. This setback further compounds the delays. Paget Brewster, a cast member, revealed that production for Season 2 might take some time to ramp up.
Consequently, it’s improbable that “Criminal Minds: Evolution” Season 2 will air in 2023. It’s becoming increasingly likely that the network will adjust its schedule, indicating a potential comeback for the show around 2024, possibly in the first quarter between January and March. This timeline is contingent on the strikes reaching a resolution in the upcoming weeks. While plot details remain undisclosed, it’s expected that the series will continue from where Season 1 left off.
“Criminal Minds: Evolution” serves as a revival and sequel to the original series that concluded in 2020. The show follows members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they confront a network of serial killers that emerged during the pandemic. This expansion of the original CBS series centers on the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers as they face off against an UnSub who capitalized on the pandemic to create a network of serial killers. As the world reopens and the network becomes operational, the team embarks on the task of hunting down these killers one by one.
The second season is expected to build upon the events of the Season 1 finale, “Dead End,” written by Chris Barbour and directed by Glenn Kershaw. In this episode, Voit tightens his grip on Rossi, showcasing the extent of his technical expertise and psychological resolve. As the BAU gains insight into Voit’s tactics, they discover the lengths he is willing to go to achieve his deadly goals.
Returning for the second season are original main cast members, including Joe Mantegna, AJ Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. The recurring cast is also anticipated to reprise their roles, featuring Zach Gilford, Josh Stewart, Nicholas D’Agosto, Nicole Pacent, Ryan-James Hatanaka, and Kiele Sanchez.
Certain guest stars, like Gail O’Grady, Luke Benward, and Silas Weir Mitchell, have not been confirmed to return, adding an element of uncertainty to the ensemble. Changes in the cast lineup are still possible and will be unveiled in due course. The series is produced by ABC Signature and CBS Studios. The showrunner and executive producer is Erica Messer, with Breen Frazier, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw, and Mark Gordon also serving as executive producers.
The upcoming season is expected to consist of 10 episodes, consistent with the first season. However, the ongoing 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes may impact the show’s fate and potentially lead to cancellation if production delays persist. The new season, like its predecessor, will be available exclusively for streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. and on Disney+ in various regions, based on subscribers’ locations. Paramount+ is an American subscription video-on-demand service owned by Paramount Global, offering a variety of shows accessible on multiple devices.
Regrettably, due to the ongoing dual strikes, no filming for the new episodes has taken place. The situation has temporarily halted major Hollywood production houses, leading to a delay in releasing an official teaser or trailer for the upcoming season. Promotional content like teasers and trailers typically surfaces a month or two before the premiere of new episodes, a timeline that’s currently uncertain due to the strike’s impact.
