Criminal Minds star Matthew Gray Gubler has recently confirmed his much-anticipated return to the series during a captivating interview. Renowned for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Spencer Reid throughout all 15 seasons of the beloved crime drama, Gubler has remained a fan favorite. While he is among the few principal cast members who did not reprise his role in the Paramount+ revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, he has expressed a willingness to return as Dr. Reid in future episodes, keeping the hope alive for eager fans.

In his latest discussion with ANSA, Gubler touched on various creative endeavors, casually mentioning that he has “shot a new episode of Criminal Minds.” It is essential to highlight that this statement could imply his return as a director, given his previous role in directing multiple episodes during the original series. His quote, translated from Italian, adds to the intrigue surrounding his potential involvement:

I shot a new episode of Criminal Minds, I’m working on a film about Halloween, and I’m doing shows, comedies in theater around America.

Understanding Gubler’s Absence from the Revival

In the narrative of Criminal Minds: Evolution, it has been indicated that Reid is currently on sabbatical, leaving the decision of his return to the BAU in his hands. This development effectively explains Gubler’s absence from the revival while aligning with the poignant events of the Criminal Minds season 15 finale. In that episode, Reid endures a significant brain injury and embarks on a deeply emotional journey of recovery, battling his way back to mental clarity and encountering familiar faces along the way. This backstory adds complexity to his character and provides a compelling reason for his temporary withdrawal from the team.

It is understandable that Reid might hesitate to return to the high-stakes environment of the BAU after facing such a harrowing experience. Nevertheless, the door for Gubler’s return remains ajar. Showrunner Erica Messer has expressed her desire to have Gubler reprise his role as Reid in various interviews, yet scheduling conflicts have hindered their plans. Recent developments in Gubler’s career could potentially alleviate these timing challenges.

In October, news broke that Gubler would be leading the pilot for a CBS show titled Einstein, where he portrays the great-grandson of the famous scientist. This new project raises speculation that it might create a window for Gubler to rejoin the Criminal Minds family, especially since Einstein is produced by CBS Studios, a co-producer of Criminal Minds: Evolution.

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Criminal Minds: Every Episode Matthew Gray Gubler Directed, Ranked

Matthew Gray Gubler hasn’t returned for the Criminal Minds reboot. However, fans can still appreciate the several episodes he directed.

It’s possible that Gubler is merely directing an episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, leveraging his experience behind the camera from directing 12 episodes of the original series. Further announcements regarding Gubler’s involvement are likely in the lead-up to the new installment’s release, providing the cast and crew an opportunity to share their insights as the drama inches closer to its premiere.

Exploring Gubler’s Potential Return to Criminal Minds

Gubler’s Character Is Invaluable to the Series

In recent years, Gubler has kept himself quite busy, successfully authoring and illustrating two children’s books that have gained remarkable popularity. His debut book, Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself, released in 2019, quickly captured the hearts of readers, establishing itself on the best-seller lists within weeks. Following this success, in 2023, Gubler brought forth another charming tale, The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand, which resonated with families and climbed the New York Times Best Seller charts in its category.

Since the conclusion of Criminal Minds, Gubler has taken on diverse roles. He starred alongside Alison Brie in the Netflix mystery thriller Horse Girl, released in 2020, and played a leading character in the supernatural comedy King Knight, directed by Richard Bates Jr.. The film, which revolves around two respected coven leaders thrown into chaos, showcases Gubler’s versatility and ability to explore new genres. However, since stepping away from his beloved role as Spencer Reid, Gubler has not returned to television, leaving fans eager for his possible comeback.

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Matthew Gray Gubler’s New Show Can Accomplish What Criminal Minds Failed To Do For Reid In 15 Years

Matthew Gray Gubler is most known for his role as Reid in Criminal Minds, but the actor will be on a show that might entail something new for Gubler.

Looking ahead, Gubler might also soon lead a CBS series if Einstein receives a green light, portraying a character that shares some traits with Reid but diverges in other aspects. The lead character, Lew Einstein, is a tenured professor with a wild side. After running afoul of the law due to his partying lifestyle, he finds himself compelled to assist Detective Maddie Paris, played by Rosa Salazar, in cracking some of the toughest cases using his intellectual prowess.

Despite exploring new avenues, Gubler’s legacy as Spencer Reid continues to resonate with audiences, highlighting the unique chemistry he developed with the rest of the Criminal Minds ensemble. Fans remain hopeful for a reunion, as the longing to see Gubler interact with his former BAU colleagues is palpable. While it would undoubtedly be thrilling to witness Gubler’s involvement in the latest chapter of Criminal Minds, we can only wait patiently for further developments, speculating that his return must hold significant reasons.

Source: ANSA

In Criminal Minds: Evolution, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time. Original cast members continuing their roles include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. Zach Gilford joins the dynamic cast as a recurring guest star in a season-long arc.

Release Date

November 24, 2022

Seasons

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