The status of Doctor Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) in the Criminal Minds reboot makes it so much easier to bring him in for a potential season 2. Less than three years since the CBS procedural wrapped up its 15-season run, the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is already set up for its small screen return, this time, on Paramount+. While much of the core cast of Criminal Minds is returning for the revival, the project will be missing the team's boy genius, Spencer Reid.
Currently, no release date for the Paramount+ show has been released. But, the reboot, officially titled Criminal Minds: Evolution has been confirmed to premiere sometime this fall. With the possible premiere fast approaching, more information about the series has been released, including where Reid is during the events of the series. For context, Gubler personally opted out of the Criminal Minds revival, prompting it to come up with an explanation for his absence.
According to the Criminal Minds reboot showrunner Erica Messer, Reid is still with the BAU. His desk is still full of his things, it just so happens that he's away while tackling this new case. Not totally writing the character out of the show keeps the door open for Gubler returning to the potential season 2. For what it's worth, the Criminal Minds’ BAU has functioned without Reid before. Towards the end of the police procedural's run on CBS, Reid was noticeably missing in a handful of episodes. As a result, Criminal Minds had to find a way to explain Reid's whereabouts. Typically, it was to attend to his ailing mother, so it's possible that it's the same case in Evolution. Whatever the case may be, just like before, he could always rejoin the BAU at a later date.
Why Matthew Gray Gubler’s Reid Isn’t In Criminal Minds Season 16
Criminal Minds: Evolution is missing two BAU members. Firstly, SSA Matt Simmons, because Daniel Henney is currently committed to Amazon's Wheel of Time. Secondly, Reid, but unlike his co-star, Gubler's reason for skipping the revival is purely personal. After playing BAU's golden boy for 15 years, the actor is choosing to venture out and try other things with his career. The rest of the Criminal Minds reboot cast understands this and is supportive of Gubler's decision, but like Messer, they are also hoping that eventually, the actor changes his mind and joins the Paramount+ endeavor. If anything, they may already be in the process of convincing him to reprise the role. After all, since the revival isn't as hectic as CBS' original run, only having 10 episodes per season compared to upwards of 20, it would leave Gubler plenty of time to pursue his other endeavors.
Currently, Paramount+ has only ordered one season of the Criminal Minds revival. How it's received will be the biggest factor in deciding if the police procedural has a future on the streaming service. Once its sophomore year is greenlit, then the conversation about Gubler's return can be revisited. For now, the BAU will have to tackle their new case without their golden boy.