The eighth season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS on September 26, 2012.

[1] In Canada, season eight aired one day earlier on CTV than on CBS in the United States.

On February 15, 2012, Deadline Hollywood reported that Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) would leave the show once season seven was over.

All other main cast members had secured deals for the season.

[2] On June 13, 2012, CBS announced that Jeanne Tripplehorn would join the cast of the show.