Criminal Minds: Evolution’s chances of bringing back Spencer Reid seem to be dead now after an exciting new update about Matthew Gray Gubler. The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) ended its 15-year stint on CBS with a feel-good finale that ushered in a new era for the team. However, the procedural proved to be far too popular to be canceled, resulting in Paramount+ greenlighting its revival on streaming. Essentially a continuation, the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast features many of the established characters in the original show but with some absences from Emily Prentiss’ tight-knit team, most notably, Reid.
Besides his genius and quirks, being on the show for a decade and a half allowed the procedural to really flesh out Reid’s personal storyline, which included his interesting origins and tumultuous private life. He had been in various tense situations, and at times, even became the victim of some of the serial criminals that the BAU were going after. Because of this, Reid’s absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution has been a big topic, with hopes that he will eventually reunite with his fellow profilers. Sadly, this may no longer happen.
Spencer Reid’s Criminal Minds: Evolution Absence Explained
There Was Confusion About The Real Reason For Reid’s Absence
When the official roster of Criminal Minds: Evolution was announced, not having Reid and Matt Simmons was somewhat unsurprising. Daniel Henney was busy with Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time. However, there was initial confusion about Reid’s absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Some reports claimed that Gubler opted out of the project. Given his sporadic appearances in later seasons of the CBS series, not to mention some of the cast’s comments about supporting him wanting to venture out, this made sense. That said, it was subsequently revealed that it was scheduling conflicts that prevented his return.
Ultimately, showrunner Erica Messer cleared the air, saying that it was the latter that has been keeping the BAU’s resident genius from appearing. This gave the impression that it was only a matter of time before he made an appearance, and this was reflected in the way that they handled Reid’s absence in the show. In Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, the late Deputy Director Bailey said that he was working on another assignment. In its sophomore year, however, Prentiss shared that Reid is actually on sabbatical.
Matthew Gray Gubler’s New CBS Show Kills Hopes Of Reid Rejoining The BAU
Gubler Will Spearhead The New Show, Einstein
The idea has remained that it’s only a matter of time before Reid returns to the BAU. Gubler expressing his desire to return in Criminal Minds: Evolution, further solidified the idea, with the hopes that his schedule with the production finally lines up for season 3. So, it is quite surprising to learn that Gubler will be spearheading a new CBS procedural, Einstein. In the series, the actor is set to play the descendant of Albert Einstein who gets into trouble and starts to work with the police to solve crime as part of his punishment.
Unlike his old show, which continues to be an ensemble, Einstein has one lead, which means that the show lives and dies with Gubler’s character.
With Gubler being Einstein’s headliner, the new CBS project will be his main priority moving forward. Aside from that, it will also be nearly impossible for him to come back as Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution, considering the demands of his upcoming project. Unlike his old show, which continues to be an ensemble, Einstein has one lead, which means that the show lives and dies with Gubler’s character. So, while specific details about the CBS procedural are still scant at the moment, this new update seemingly kills all hope for Reid to be part of the BAU again.
Reid Can Still Return To Criminal Minds: Evolution But Under 1 Major Condition
There Is Only 1 Way To Bring Back Reid Now
For what it’s worth, Reid can still return to Criminal Minds, but with one major caveat. Instead of being a full-time member of the BAU, which he technically still is, considering that his desk is still intact in the FBI office, Gubler’s golden boy can only return as a guest star, or at best, a recurring character. Understandably, this is still quite disappointing, considering how the show has teased that he will eventually reclaim his spot as a regular profiler with Prentiss’ team.
Since Einstein and Criminal Minds share a production company, perhaps CBS can arrange for Reid’s cameo. However, anything more than that is unlikely.
How Criminal Minds: Evolution Can Write Out Spencer Reid
Reid’s Exit Story Will Be A Challenge For Criminal Minds: Evolution
Ahead of the filming start of Einstein is the best time for Gubler to return. Production for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 is currently ongoing, and unless he is occupied with something else, he must take advantage of the opportunity to return to the revival. The only drawback for this is that once his new endeavor begins, the Paramount+ project will have to find new ways to explain his absence and/or permanently write him out. Considering the storytelling of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 and Reid’s history, there are a few ways that he can exit the series.
Firstly, and the simplest way is for the character to decide to leave after being on sabbatical in Criminal Minds: Evolution. After devoting almost two decades in the service, he can finally choose to move forward to better things, the same way that Penelope Garcia did in the original Criminal Minds ending. Secondly is for him to get involved in a case. Nobody wants to see Reid suffer, but putting him at the center of another mystery like how he was framed in Mexico would be a great send-off story for such a beloved character.