Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution Features Return of Matthew Gray Gubler as Reid

If you’re a fan of Criminal Minds, you’ll be excited to hear that Matthew Gray Gubler is set to return as Dr. Spencer Reid in Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution. According to TVLine, Gubler will appear in “part of one … episode” of the upcoming season.

Originally part of the show’s full 15-season run on CBS, which concluded in 2020, Criminal Minds: Evolution made its debut on Paramount+ in 2022. In the first two seasons of the new run, both Reid and Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney) were notably absent, said to be on special assignments since the Season 16 premiere.

Fans were left wondering about Reid’s return when a photo of Spencer Reid’s nameplate appeared on Joe Mantegna’s Instagram story. However, showrunner Erica Messer clarified that Gubler would not be returning at that time.

Despite the speculation, there were hints about Reid’s whereabouts, with Prentiss mentioning in Season 17 that he was on sabbatical. As Messer explained, this choice of words was deliberate to keep his situation under wraps.

As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see Gubler back in action. Will we finally learn about Reid’s special assignment? Or will his return bring a totally different storyline? We’ll have to wait and see.

Are you looking forward to Gubler’s return in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18? Share your thoughts in the comments below.