Criminal Minds season 11

The eleventh season of Criminal Minds was ordered on May 11, 2015 by CBS.^[1] It premiered on September 30, 2015 on CBS and ended on May 4, 2016. The season consisted of 22 episodes.^[2]

Criminal Minds
Season 11
Season 11 U.S. DVD cover
Starring	Joe Mantegna Shemar Moore Matthew Gray Gubler A. J. Cook Kirsten Vangsness Thomas Gibson Aisha Tyler
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30) – May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)
Season chronology
List of episodes

Cast

The entire main cast returned for the season, except Jennifer Love Hewitt (Kate Callahan), who left the show in the season ten finale. On June 22, 2015, it was announced that Aisha Tyler (coincidentally Hewitt's co-star during Season 1 of Ghost Whisperer) would replace Hewitt in a recurring role as Dr. Tara Lewis, a psychologist with an eye on forensic psychology and its application toward the criminal justice system.^[3]

Main

• Joe Mantegna as Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi (BAU Senior Agent)
• Shemar Moore as Supervisory Special Agent Derek Morgan (BAU Agent) (Ep. 1–18)
• Matthew Gray Gubler as Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid (BAU Agent)
• A. J. Cook as Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (BAU Agent)
• Kirsten Vangsness as Special Agent Penelope Garcia (BAU Technical Analyst & Co-Communications Liaison)
• Thomas Gibson as Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner (BAU Unit Chief & Co-Communications Liaison)

Also starring

• Aisha Tyler as Tara Lewis

Special guest star

• Paget Brewster as Agent Emily Prentiss (Chief of Interpol-London Office) (Episode 19)

Recurring

• Rochelle Aytes as Savannah Hayes
• Amber Stevens as Joy Struthers
• Cade Owens as Jack Hotchner
• Josh Stewart as William "Will" LaMontagne Jr.
• Mekhai Andersen as Henry LaMontagne
• Phoenix Andersen as Michael LaMontagne
• Marisol Nichols as Agent Natalie Colfax
• Frances Fisher as Antonia Slade
• Sheryl Lee Ralph as Hayden Montgomery
• Bodhi Elfman as Peter Lewis / Mr. Scratch
• Aubrey Plaza as Cat Adams

Production

Jennifer Love Hewitt left the show because of her pregnancy, and her character Kate Callahan handed in her resignation at the end of the season ten finale, due to her pregnancy and decision to devote the next year to her baby. It was announced that Aisha Tyler would replace Hewitt in a recurring role as Dr. Tara Lewis.^[3] A.J. Cook revealed herself to be pregnant, and it was later revealed in the tenth-season finale that her character Jennifer "JJ" Jareau was also pregnant. She did not appear in the first six episodes (except the season premiere).^[4] Showrunner Erica Messer expressed her desire about bringing back old characters from previous seasons, including Spencer Reid's mother played by Jane Lynch.^[5] Cook appeared in the first episode "The Job" holding her sleeping baby Michael, played by Phoenix Andersen, her child in real life.^[6]

Matthew Gray Gubler directed episode 18, "A Beautiful Disaster", in which Shemar Moore left the main cast (Moore went on to star as Hondo Harrelson in the CBS remake of SWAT). On February 10, 2016, it was announced that Paget Brewster would return as Emily Prentiss for one episode later in season 11 episode 19, titled "Tribute".^[7][8] The season ended on May 4, 2016, with the show's first cliffhanger finale since the fifth season. Messer said she felt it was time for another cliffhanger and thought that it served as a "really fun launch pad" into the twelfth season, which was officially ordered two days later.^[9][10]

Guest stars

Aisha Tyler played a recurring role as Dr. Tara Lewis.

A. J. Cook announced her pregnancy, a fact that was carried over to her character Jennifer "JJ" Jareau as well. Showrunner Erica Messer stated in an interview that Cook's character JJ would not appear for the first five episodes of the season as Cook was on maternity leave. Messer continued talking about a guest star to replace Cook during her absence from the show as she said, "My hope is we could have a fun guest star when A.J.'s on maternity leave. It will be different because JJ won't be there. There is no replacing her as we know, but there's an opportunity there to have fun for a few episodes."^[4]

Danny Glover appears as Derek Morgan's father.

Aisha Tyler joined the cast in the wake of Hewitt's exit, and played a recurring role as Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist who always wanted to study psychopaths up close, to understand the human being behind the evil acts. Her previous job was to interview serial killers and determine whether they were fit to stand trial.^[3] It was announced that Tim Kang would guest-star on the show in the second episode of the season, "The Witness".^[11] while Marisol Nichols is set to make an appearance.^[12] It was announced on August 5, 2015, that an alum from Glee, Ashley Fink, would guest star in the third episode of the season, "'Til Death Do Us Part". Amber Stevens returned as Rossi's daughter, Joy Struthers, in episode seven, "Target Rich".^[13] Aubrey Plaza also had a guest role in episode eleven, "Entropy".^[14]

Paget Brewster returns as Emily Prentiss for one episode this season.

On January 14, 2016, CBS announced that actor Danny Glover would guest-star as Derek Morgan's deceased father in the episode "Derek".^[15]

On February 10, 2016, CBS announced that actor Paget Brewster would guest star in one episode in the latter part of the season, reprising her role as Emily Prentiss.^[16]

In an interview with TVGuide, Erica Messer expressed her interest about bringing back characters from previous seasons instead of adding a new character to replace Hewitt permanently on the show. She explained, "I feel like when you look at 10 years of people we could bring back, it would be fun to do that." Messer added that bringing back old characters would allow the show to focus on the team without having to service a new regular character.^[5]

Episodes

See also: List of Criminal Minds episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
234	1	"The Job"	Glenn Kershaw	Breen Frazier	September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)	1101	10.08[17]
When two men – one in Albany, New York, and one in Seattle, Washington – are found dead with a distinctive face mask painted on their faces, the BAU sets out to track down a highly-skilled hitman who is targeting his former clients. Meanwhile, Hotch asks forensic psychologist and potential new team member Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler) to assist in the investigation.
235	2	"The Witness"	John Terlesky	Sharon Lee Watson	October 7, 2015 (2015-10-07)	1102	9.08[18]
When ten civilians die in a sarin gas attack on a Los Angeles, California commuter bus, the BAU works with the local FBI field office to determine whether the incident was isolated or a deliberate act of terrorism.
236	3	"'Til Death Do Us Part"	Joe Mantegna	Karen Maser	October 14, 2015 (2015-10-14)	1103	9.08[19]
When two brides-to-be are found dead in Savannah, Georgia, and a third is reported missing, the BAU determines the crimes were committed by a female suffering from mental health issues and severe rejection. Meanwhile, Garcia grows increasingly concerned as she attempts to identify "The Dirty Dozen."
237	4	"Outlaw"	Larry Teng	Virgil Williams	October 21, 2015 (2015-10-21)	1104	8.47[20]
When three night-shift employees at a Las Vegas, New Mexico, diner are murdered in an aggravated robbery-arson and the investigation is linked to a six-year-old cold case with eerie similarities, the BAU suspects both crimes may have been committed by more than one unsub.
238	5	"The Night Watch"	Thomas Gibson	Bruce Zimmerman	October 28, 2015 (2015-10-28)	1105	7.64[21]
When a Detroit, Michigan community activist's corpse is incorporated into a macabre piece of graffiti art and an eight-month-old infant is abducted, the BAU juggles connecting the two events to an infamous street artist known for staying one step ahead of the authorities. Meanwhile, Lewis faces pressure on the home front after her relationship with her fiancé reaches a breaking point.
239	6	"Pariahville"	Félix Enríquez Alcalá	Erik Stiller	November 4, 2015 (2015-11-04)	1106	7.79[22]
When a registered Florida sex offender is stabbed to death in her house and found wearing a cheerleader uniform, the BAU finds themselves faced with the daunting task of interrogating the over two thousand residents of a community designed to house nonviolent offenders. Meanwhile, Lewis receives a career opportunity that threatens to take her away from the team.
240	7	"Target Rich"	Glenn Kershaw	Jim Clemente	November 11, 2015 (2015-11-11)	1107	8.51[23]
When Rossi's daughter, Joy (Amber Stevens), discovers a pattern of missing female college students from academic institutions across the East Coast, the BAU sets out to connect the pattern to a Virginia pre-med student's recent disappearance. Meanwhile, Morgan receives a cryptic warning about "The Dirty Dozen" and Reid discloses a piece of unfortunate news to a returning JJ.
241	8	"Awake"	Christoph Schrewe	Kimberly Ann Harrison	November 18, 2015 (2015-11-18)	1108	8.14[24]
When two Phoenix, Arizona, men are abducted and one is found dead, the BAU sets out to track down a killer who deliberately deprives his victims of sleep. Meanwhile, JJ deals with the stress of raising two children and Hotch takes desperate measures to protect Garcia.
242	9	"Internal Affairs"	Diana C. Valentine	Sharon Lee Watson	December 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)	1109	8.75[25]
When three DEA agents are reported missing while on assignment in El Paso, Texas and one is later found dead with a crudely removed face covering his own, the BAU juggles profiling the killer and helping the NSA identify a mole with ties to an underground drug cartel.
243	10	"Future Perfect"	Laura Belsey	Bruce Zimmerman	December 9, 2015 (2015-12-09)	1110	9.27[26]
The BAU returns to Florida after two people are found dead in St. Augustine and find themselves profiling a killer who performs gruesome medical experiments on his victims in an attempt to find a cure for a mysterious disease. Meanwhile, Garcia grows stir-crazy as the search for the hitman network continues.
244	11	"Entropy"	Heather Cappiello	Breen Frazier	January 13, 2016 (2016-01-13)	1111	9.33[27]
As the BAU carries out an elaborate plan to take down the hitman network, Reid finds himself forced to engage in a high-stakes cat and mouse game with a narcissistic psychopath determined to learn why he took a leave of absence.
245	12	"Drive"	Tawnia McKiernan	Karen Maser	January 20, 2016 (2016-01-20)	1112	9.25[28]
When three Boston, Massachusetts, women are tortured, decapitated, and dumped in various public locations, the BAU suspects the killings are connected to a local ride-share service the victims used prior to their deaths.
246	13	"The Bond"	Hanelle M. Culpepper	Kimberly Ann Harrison	January 27, 2016 (2016-01-27)	1113	9.22[29]
When two people are blitz-attacked, stabbed to death, and posed post-mortem at different truck stop restrooms throughout the South, the BAU coordinates with the Atlanta field office to identify a killer acting on orders from someone determined to exact revenge against the people who wronged them.
247	14	"Hostage"	Bethany Rooney	Virgil Williams	February 10, 2016 (2016-02-10)	1114	8.97[30]
When a missing St. Louis, Missouri, foster child leads local authorities to a house where she claims to have been held against her will with two other girls, the BAU juggles identifying her abductor, rescuing her fellow captives, and getting through to the girl who depends on him most.
248	15	"A Badge and a Gun"	Rob Bailey	Jim Clemente	February 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)	1115	8.64[31]
The BAU returns to Los Angeles, California, after three women are killed by asphyxiation in their homes and the local field office unearths surveillance footage that makes them suspect the killer is one of their own. Meanwhile, Morgan suspects Savannah wants to end their relationship after receiving a cryptic text message.
249	16	"Derek"	Thomas Gibson	Breen Frazier	March 2, 2016 (2016-03-02)	1116	9.32[32]
When a group of international mercenaries-for-hire abduct Morgan, the BAU sets out to rescue their missing colleague. Meanwhile, Morgan hallucinates about his father, Hank (Danny Glover), as he disassociates his mind from the pain his captors are inflicting on him.
250	17	"The Sandman"	Joe Mantegna	Bruce Zimmerman	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)	1117	9.80[33]
The BAU celebrates Morgan's return from a six-month leave of absence only to end the festivities when they are tasked with apprehending a serial killer who terrorizes families in Wichita, Kansas, by abducting children while their parents are asleep. Meanwhile, Morgan juggles identifying who was responsible for his attack and preparing for his child's birth.
251	18	"A Beautiful Disaster"	Matthew Gray Gubler	Kirsten Vangsness & Erica Messer	March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)	1118	10.94[34]
When a crime boss (Lance Henriksen) with ties to the hitman network targets the BAU, leaving the fates of Savannah and her baby hanging in the balance, the team sets out to take him down before he can fulfill a sinister vendetta aimed at one of their own.
252	19	"Tribute"	Tawnia McKiernan	Virgil Williams	March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)	1119	9.17[35]
When former SSA Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) connects a copycat killing in New York City to an international killer who has emulated high-profile crimes in Russia and England, the BAU sets out to determine his next move before he strikes again. Meanwhile, the team continues to deal with the fallout of Morgan's departure.
253	20	"Inner Beauty"	Alec Smight	Haben Merker	April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)	1120	8.81[36]
When two Sacramento, California, women are found dead from causes brought on by crude facial surgeries, the BAU attempts to profile a killer determined to mold his victims into his vision of the ideal woman. Meanwhile, Rossi finds himself forced to endure an awkward reunion with his ex-wife Hayden (Sheryl Lee Ralph).
254	21	"Devil's Backbone"	Félix Enríquez Alcalá	Sharon Lee Watson	April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)	1121	9.14[37]
When guards at a Troy, Virginia, correctional facility intercept a package containing evidence from two local cold cases, the BAU works with former clinical social worker-turned-serial killer Antonia Slade (Frances Fisher) to identify the kidnapper.
255	22	"The Storm"	Glenn Kershaw	Erica Messer & Breen Frazier	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)	1122	8.84[38]
When Hotch finds himself arrested and accused of masterminding a terrorist attack by the Department of Justice, the remaining members of the BAU juggles clearing his name and identifying the people responsible for framing him.

Ratings

Live + SD ratings

No. in series	No. in season	Episode	Air date	Time slot (EST)	Rating/Share (18–49)	Viewers (m)	18–49 Rank	Viewership rank	Drama rank
234	1	"The Job"	September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)	Wednesday 9:00 P.M.	2.0/6[17]	10.08[17]	21[39]	15[39]	7[39]
235	2	"The Witness"	October 7, 2015 (2015-10-07)		1.7/5[18]	9.08[18]	24[40]	15[40]	9[40]
236	3	"'Til Death Do Us Part"	October 14, 2015 (2015-10-14)		1.7/5[19]	9.08[19]	23[41]	15[41]	8[41]
237	4	"Outlaw"	October 21, 2015 (2015-10-21)		1.6/5[20]	8.47[20]	—	21[42]	—
238	5	"The Night Watch"	October 28, 2015 (2015-10-28)		1.6/5[21]	7.64[21]	—	—	—
239	6	"Pariahville"	November 4, 2015 (2015-11-04)		1.5/4[22]	7.79[22]	—	—	—
240	7	"Target Rich"	November 11, 2015 (2015-11-11)		1.6/5[23]	8.51[23]	—	15[43]	—
241	8	"Awake"	November 18, 2015 (2015-11-18)		1.5/5[24]	8.14[24]	—	22[44]	—
242	9	"Internal Affairs"	December 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)		1.6/4[25]	8.75[25]	24[45]	15[45]	5[45]
243	10	"Future Perfect"	December 9, 2015 (2015-12-09)		1.9/6[26]	9.27[26]	16[46]	17[46]	4[46]
244	11	"Entropy"	January 13, 2016 (2016-01-13)		2.0/6[27]	9.33[27]	9[47]	10[47]	2[47]
245	12	"Drive"	January 20, 2016 (2016-01-20)		2.0/6[28]	9.25[28]	10[48]	13[48]	4[48]
246	13	"The Bond"	January 27, 2016 (2016-01-27)		2.0/6[29]	9.22[29]	8[49]	10[49]	2[49]
247	14	"Hostage"	February 10, 2016 (2016-02-10)		1.8/6[30]	8.97[30]	16[50]	12[50]	6[50]
248	15	"A Badge and a Gun"	February 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)		1.8/6[31]	8.64[31]	19[51]	15[51]	7[51]
249	16	"Derek"	March 2, 2016 (2016-03-02)		1.9/6[32]	9.32[32]	10[52]	8[52]	6[52]
250	17	"The Sandman"	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)		1.9/7[33]	9.80[33]	11[53]	7[53]	4[53]
251	18	"A Beautiful Disaster"	March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)		2.2/7[34]	10.94[34]	8[54]	6[54]	4[54]
252	19	"Tribute"	March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)		1.8/6[35]	9.17[35]	10[55]	11[55]	6[55]
253	20	"Inner Beauty"	April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)		1.7/6[36]	8.81[36]	11[56]	13[56]	7[56]
254	21	"Devil's Backbone"	April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)		1.7/6[37]	9.14[37]	10[57]	11[57]	7[57]
255	22	"The Storm"	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)		1.8/6[38]	8.84[38]	12[58]	12[58]	9[58]

Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings

No. in series	No. in season	Episode	Air date	Time slot (EST)	18–49 rating increase	Viewers (millions) increase	Total 18-49	Total viewers (millions)	Ref
234	1	"The Job"	September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)	Wednesday 9:00 P.M.	1.3	3.93	3.3	14.01	[59]
235	2	"The Witness"	October 7, 2015 (2015-10-07)		1.3	3.88	3.0	12.96	[60]
236	3	"'Til Death Do Us Part"	October 14, 2015 (2015-10-14)		1.2	3.66	2.9	12.74	[61]
237	4	"Outlaw"	October 21, 2015 (2015-10-21)		1.3	3.67	2.9	12.14	[62]
238	5	"The Night Watch"	October 28, 2015 (2015-10-28)		1.4	4.18	3.0	11.82	[63]
239	6	"Pariahville"	November 4, 2015 (2015-11-04)		1.5	3.80	2.8	11.59	[64]
240	7	"Target Rich"	November 11, 2015 (2015-11-11)		1.3	3.77	2.9	12.28	[65]
241	8	"Awake"	November 18, 2015 (2015-11-18)		1.1	3.55	2.6	11.69	[66]
242	9	"Internal Affairs"	December 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)		1.1	3.63	2.7	12.38	[67]
243	10	"Future Perfect"	December 9, 2015 (2015-12-09)		1.3	3.66	3.2	12.93	[68]
244	11	"Entropy"	January 13, 2016 (2016-01-13)		1.3	3.92	3.3	13.25	[69]
245	12	"Drive"	January 20, 2016 (2016-01-20)		1.3	3.72	3.3	12.97	[70]
246	13	"The Bond"	January 27, 2016 (2016-01-27)		1.2	3.64	3.2	12.88	[71]
247	14	"Hostage"	February 10, 2016 (2016-02-10)		1.2	3.68	3.0	12.65	[72]
248	15	"A Badge and a Gun"	February 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)		1.2	3.75	3.0	12.43	[73]
249	16	"Derek"	March 2, 2016 (2016-03-02)		1.3	3.77	3.2	13.09	[74]
250	17	"The Sandman"	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)		1.4	3.99	3.3	13.79	[75]
251	18	"A Beautiful Disaster"	March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)		1.3	4.24	3.5	15.19	[76]
252	19	"Tribute"	March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)		1.1	3.66	2.9	12.84	[77]
253	20	"Inner Beauty"	April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)		1.0	3.37	2.7	12.18	[78]
254	21	"Devil's Backbone"	April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)		1.1	3.31	2.8	12.45	[79]
255	22	"The Storm"	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)		1.1	3.60	2.9	12.41	[80]

Home media

The Complete Eleventh Season
Set details		Special features
22 episodes 6-disc set (Region 1) 5-disc set (Region 2 & 4) Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Subtitles: English English: Dolby Digital 5.1		The Dirty Eleven To Derek, With Love The Good Doctor Criminology Gag Reel Deleted Scenes
DVD release date
Region 1	Region 2	Region 4
August 30, 2016 (2016-08-30)[81]	December 5, 2016 (2016-12-05)[82]	December 7, 2016 (2016-12-07)[83]