Report: CBS Picks Up “Criminal Minds” Spin-Off For Next Season

“Criminal Minds” fans can finally sleep easy.

Deadline.com reported Monday afternoon that CBS handed a series order to the “Criminal Minds” spin-off, for which a pilot starring Forest Whitaker had been produced.

At the onset of the developmental season, the pickup appeared a near certainty–”Criminal Minds” is one of the network’s most reliable players in the demographic, and based on the successful launch of “NCIS” spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” this past season, a “Criminal Minds” extension appeared bankable.

But over the past few weeks, doubt erupted when reports broke that the pilot did not excite at the network. THRFeed.com specifically said, “Nobody seems to like the “Criminal Minds” spinoff, yet most believe the drama will get picked up for midseason anyway.”

Nonetheless, as was also predicted in a Headline Planet story, CBS ultimately went ahead with a series order for the show.

What remains to be seen, however, is whether the order calls for a fall or midseason premiere; EW is reporting that the show will air in the fall, while Deadline seems to think it is slated for midseason.