After much speculation and anticipation, Matthew Gray Gubler is officially set to reprise his iconic role as Dr. Spencer Reid in the upcoming third season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Known for his endearingly awkward charm and razor-sharp intellect, Reid became a fan-favourite during the show’s original 15-season run.
Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that Gubler will appear in part of a single episode, marking his first return since the show’s revival on Paramount+. While the series initially concluded in 2020 with its explosive season 15 finale, few imagined Reid would return after Gubler opted not to join the rebooted Criminal Minds: Evolution.
The announcement comes as production for season 3 — or season 18, for diehard fans tracking the show’s complete timeline — officially wraps. Viewers can now start the countdown to seeing Reid back in action, albeit briefly.
When Criminal Minds concluded in 2020, long time executive producer Erica Messer described the finale as the end of an era. Reflecting on the show’s legacy, Messer told EW:
“Some people love telling procedural stories and especially serial killer stories. So some plan to keep pursuing that. Others like myself wanted to step away from it a little bit and look for the light in the world instead of all this darkness.”
Yet, just two years later, CBS’ streaming platform Paramount+ announced the series’ revival with much of the original cast returning, including Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, and Aisha Tyler. However, Gubler was notably absent from the first two seasons, leaving fans longing for Reid’s return.
In 2022, Messer addressed the absence of Gubler and other beloved characters like Shemar Moore and Daniel Henney, stating that their departures weren’t final:
“Their desks will still have stuff on them. They haven’t gone away,” she assured fans. “Dr. Reid’s desk still has all of his books on it and all of his belongings… We want that connection still with Dr. Reid and Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney), who is on another assignment as well. It’s something we can’t really discuss. But if and when they return, it’s up to them. It’s dependent on their schedules. I can’t promise anything right now. But it’s the hope.”
Though Reid’s return will be fleeting, the news is already thrilling fans of the series who have missed his quirky brilliance and emotional depth. While Messer previously teased the possibility of a return, this confirmation cements Gubler’s place as a vital part of the Criminal Minds legacy.
With production wrapped and anticipation building, the countdown begins for Reid’s long-awaited return. His brief cameo promises to deliver a nostalgic and powerful moment, rekindling the connection fans have cherished for nearly two decades.
