When Criminal Minds: Evolution was first announced to premiere on Paramount+ back in 2022, fans were so excited to see the return of the BAU. After all, the original series aired on CBS for 15 seasons and developed a massive following. So, what could be better than seeing our favorite FBI agents back together to solve all-new cases?
After the initial shock wore off, viewers then started wondering which original cast members would come back for Criminal Minds: Evolution. While Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Adam Rodriguez, Aisha Tyler, A.J. Cook and Kirsten Vangsness were all announced as part of the reboot, folks were outraged to not see Matthew Gray Gubler be part of the cast. Portraying the genius Dr. Spencer Reid, Matthew's character was one that people couldn't get enough of in every episode. Couple that with the fact Reid essentially grew up on screen over the course of the show, viewers took a liking to him in a way that felt different than the other actors starring on Criminal Minds.
With season 3 is premiering on May 8, 2025 on Paramount+, viewers are desperate to know if Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer Reid is returning for Criminal Minds: Evolution. Well, good news — it looks like we have a break in the longstanding case that you'll want to know about.
Is Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution?
To the excitement of all TV fans, Matthew Gray Gubler will reprise his role as Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.
The news of Matthew's small screen return was first revealed back in December 2024, when he spoke with the Italian outlet Ansa about his plans to be part of the reboot. He shared at the time he'd make only one appearance on Criminal Minds: Evolution (so far!), and fans couldn't stop cheering about the fact Reid would finally get some screen time once again.
"I shot a new episode of Criminal Minds," he told the outlet at the time, translated from Italian. "I'm working on a film about Halloween, and I'm doing shows, comedies in theaters around America."
Even though it's presently unclear how Matthew's character will be folded into the new season, showrunner Erica Messer teased Reid's return may have something to do with fellow BAU member J.J. Jareau (A.J. Cook)'s storyline in a future episode.
"Without spoiling anything, when you really need your friends, it's usually big life things are happening," she hinted to Entertainment Weekly on April 10. "So, I will say that the big life thing is happening and we get to see Spencer."
What's more, it looks like the cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution is just as excited for Matthew's return, according to Paget Brewster (who plays BAU section chief Emily Prentiss).
"One hot second of Matthew Gray Gubler is worth a thousand years of someone else," she exclusively told Good Housekeeping of the actor's TV return in May 2025. "It was as if no time has passed, and he's a personal friend so we communicate with him all the time. So, it wasn't a big deal, because it was like, 'Oh, this is nice! Alright dude — think about doing this again!"
Now, that's something we'd all be thrilled to see!
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.