‘Criminal Minds’ officially renewed for season 12

For everyone out there wondering about the fate of “Criminal Minds,” wonder no more! Today, CBS confirmed that the long-running crime procedural has been renewed for an upcoming 12th season. There are no specifics at this time regarding the cast, but it is nice to see that the show’s future is locked in.

We’re not quite sure that there was ever really a whole lot of speculation regarding this show’s long-term future in the first place. It remains one of the staples in the network’s primetime lineup, and there is zero reason why they would want to lose it. The only reason negotiations for this show are probably different than many other CBS programs is because of ownership. This is a co-production between the network and ABC Studios, so there are more people in the room here than with a show like “NCIS,” which is owned entirely in-house.

As for the fate of spin-off “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” that is still up in the air, but we see it as going either way. We’re sure that the franchise could benefit from having the spin-off around, but it never really had the benefit of a great premiere date or even airing after the flagship show for most of the season. It still has some episodes to go until it is wrapped up for the season.

There is no premiere date at present for the 12th season of the show, but our feeling will probably be that it returns in either late September or early October. This is more or less the trajectory that has been established here over time, and we don’t foresee there being a whole lot of a reason for the network to change it now.

If you want to see more of what we want on the upcoming “Criminal Minds” season, just be sure to head over here right now! Also, sign up over here to get some other TV news on all we cover, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)