Criminal Minds: Evolution got canceled on October 30 after season 5.
Star A.J. Cook posted a cryptic response on Instagram to the show’s devastating announcement.
Fans rallied around A.J. after seeing her comment.
Criminal Minds fans, all eyes are on A.J. Cook.
On October 30, Paramount+ announced that Criminal Minds: Evolution will end after its upcoming fifth season, Deadline reported. A.J., who plays SSA Jennifer “J.J.” Jareau, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the ending—and it was a little cryptic.
“Rest in peace JJ (for now) #criminalminds #halloween #stillprocessing,” she wrote in the caption on October 31, while dressed for Halloween and wearing a tombstone that read “RIP Jennifer Jareau.”
Unsurprisingly, fans had questions.
“JJ WILL NEVER FALL we will bring her back 😭😭,” one person wrote in the comments. “I can’t say goodbye to Jennifer Jareau 😭,” another lamented. “I will not accept this. Someone pick the show up please!” a different follower added.
While we don’t know what the future holds for this franchise, the original Criminal Minds ended after 15 seasons on CBS in 2020. Paramount+ picked it up in 2022, and it was subsequently reformatted as Criminal Minds: Evolution.
Showrunner Erica Messer shared more about the announcement.
“It’s hard to put into words what Criminal Minds has meant to all of us who have been fortunate enough to be part of this extraordinary journey, first on CBS for 15 seasons and then on Paramount+ for five,” she shared in an official statement, according to Variety. “While suddenly navigating the end of this chapter, I’m filled with gratitude for our remarkable cast, writers, directors, and crew who have poured their hearts into this show, and for the incredible fans around the world whose unwavering loyalty has kept Criminal Minds going for two decades. We’re looking forward to sharing Season 20 with everyone, and celebrating the legacy of this special show we’ve all built together.”
Fingers crossed we’ll get to see more of A.J. in the future!
