Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds is an American police procedural and psychological crime drama series about FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit who investigate violent offenders and serial killers.

Criminal Minds is an American police procedural and psychological crime drama television series that follows the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they profile and apprehend violent criminals. Created by Jeff Davis, the series originally aired on CBS from 2005 to 2024, spanning 17 seasons. It has been broadcast in French-language markets under the title Esprits criminels and has spawned spin-offs and a continuation series. The series is often compared to other long-running shows such as American Horror Story and Prison Break.

Premise

The series centres on FBI profilers who use behavioural analysis to identify and stop criminals, especially serial offenders, before they strike again. Its cases often involve understanding offenders’ motivations and emotional triggers. The team studies the behaviour and motives of violent criminals to anticipate and stop future attacks.

Production and broadcast

Criminal Minds premiered in 2005 and became a long-running network crime drama. CBS was the original U.S. broadcaster, with French distribution through channels and platforms such as TF1 and Disney+. Disney+ lists the series as running from 2005 to 2024 across 17 seasons. In Canada, the series has been available through French-language and streaming distribution, with the title Esprits criminels. The series is available on Disney+, which also offers other series like Community.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast has included Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness and Joe Mantegna. The format relies on a rotating team of specialists within the BAU.

Spin-offs and continuation

The franchise expanded with Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and later Criminal Minds: Evolution, which continues the same universe with a focus on updated cases and returning characters.