For fans of Criminal Minds, the absence of Dr. Spencer Reid from the revival series felt like a hole in the team. But on May 21, 2025, Matthew Gray Gubler returned for a guest appearance in the episode “Time to Say Goodbye,” as reported by Parade.
Seasons as a main character: 15 (Seasons 1–15) ·
Last original series episode: “And in the End…” (February 19, 2020) ·
Criminal Minds: Evolution seasons without Reid: 3 (as of 2025) ·
Actor salary peak: $200,000 per episode (estimated) ·
Episodes directed by Gubler: 12
Quick snapshot
- Whether Gubler will appear in any future seasons beyond the guest spot (The Independent)
- The exact reason Gubler skipped the first three Evolution seasons (no public statement) (The Independent)
- If the character will be written off entirely in upcoming seasons (The Independent)
- No confirmation of further Reid appearances beyond the guest episode (TV Insider)
- Gubler is developing the CBS series Einstein (Decider)
- Fans continue to campaign for a regular return (TV Insider)
Six key facts about Spencer Reid, from his debut to his return in 2025:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Character debut | September 22, 2005 (Season 1, Episode 1) |
| Last original series appearance | February 19, 2020 (Season 15, Episode 15) |
| Actor | Matthew Gray Gubler |
| Return in Evolution? | Yes (guest appearance in Season 18, Episode 3, aired May 21, 2025) (Parade) |
| Number of episodes (main cast) | 324 |
| Episodes directed by Gubler | 12 |
What happened to Reid from Criminal Minds?
Dr. Spencer Reid joined the BAU as a genius-level profiler with an eidetic memory. Over 15 seasons, he became a fan favorite, surviving addiction, captivity, and personal loss. His last original series appearance was the finale “And in the End…” on February 19, 2020, where he remained with the team after turning down a teaching offer (UPI).
Reid’s early story and character arc
Introduced in the pilot episode, Reid’s IQ of 187 and social awkwardness made him a distinctive presence. His arc included a drug addiction storyline in Season 10, a brain disease diagnosis in Season 12, and a near-death experience after being kidnapped by Mr. Scratch (Wikipedia).
His departure from the BAU in season 15
In the series finale, Reid was offered a professorship but chose to stay in the field. The episode ended with an ambiguous moment between Reid and JJ, leaving his romantic future unresolved (UPI).
Reid’s exit from the original series was open-ended—he was alive, still at the FBI, and theoretically available. That made his absence from Evolution all the more puzzling for fans.
The implication: Reid’s story was never truly closed, which allowed the show to bring him back for a single emotional episode in 2025.
Is Spencer Reid coming back in season 18?
Yes—Matthew Gray Gubler returned for a guest role in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18, Episode 3, titled “Time to Say Goodbye,” which aired May 21, 2025. The return was confirmed by multiple sources, including TV Insider and The Independent. Fellow cast member Paget Brewster revealed that Gubler was returning for a guest spot, not a permanent role (The Independent).
Official statements from CBS and producers
Showrunner Erica Messer indicated that all series regulars would be back for Season 18, but that statement was made before Gubler’s schedule was confirmed (TV Insider). Gubler himself mentioned in a December 2024 interview that he had recently filmed a new episode of Criminal Minds (Decider).
Matthew Gray Gubler’s current projects
Gubler is developing the CBS series Einstein, which likely makes a full-time return to Criminal Minds impractical in the near term (Decider).
The guest return gives fans a sense of closure, but it also signals that the character is still alive in the show’s universe—keeping the door open for future appearances if Gubler’s schedule allows.
The pattern: a one-episode return is a compromise between the actor’s other commitments and the studio’s desire to satisfy the fanbase.
What happened to Reid at the end of Criminal Minds?
The series finale of the original Criminal Minds left Reid’s future open. He was offered a position as a professor but declined, choosing to remain with the BAU. The final scene showed him walking away with JJ and the team, with a lingering look that hinted at unresolved feelings (UPI).
Reid’s final storyline in season 15
In the final season, Reid helped solve a case involving a serial killer targeting the BAU itself. The episode ended with a sense of peace—the team survived, and Reid was still with them.
His relationship status and professional future
Reid’s romantic life was always complicated. His relationship with JJ was teased but never consummated, and the finale left it ambiguous. In the Evolution guest episode, Reid returned to attend JJ’s husband Will LaMontagne Jr.’s funeral (Yahoo Entertainment).
What this means: the show has finally addressed the elephant in the room—Reid is still part of the Criminal Minds universe, but his role is now defined by loss and closure rather than future potential.
Are Spencer Reid and JJ married in real life?
No. Matthew Gray Gubler and A.J. Cook, who plays JJ, are not married. A.J. Cook has been married to Nathan Andersen since 2001 (Wikipedia). Gubler has never been married and keeps his personal life private.
Matthew Gray Gubler’s real-life relationship status
Gubler rarely discusses his romantic life. In interviews, he has mentioned being single and focused on his career.
A.J. Cook’s real-life marriage
Cook married Nathan Andersen, a film editor, in 2001. They have two children together. The on-screen chemistry between Reid and JJ is entirely fictional.
The trade-off: fans who ship the characters may be disappointed, but the actors’ real lives are separate from the show.
Why is Reid not in season 19?
First, there is no official “Season 19” of Criminal Minds: Evolution. The revival series is currently on hiatus after Season 18 (which aired in 2025). Reid’s absence from the first three Evolution seasons is due to Matthew Gray Gubler’s decision to pursue other projects, including directing and developing Einstein (Decider).
Differences between season 18 and season 19 confusion
Paramount+ renamed the revival seasons as Evolution Season 1, 2, etc., but they are often numbered by fans as continuing from the original series. The show is currently on hiatus after what is sometimes called Season 18 (Evolution Season 3).
Matthew Gray Gubler’s decision to leave the franchise
Gubler has not publicly stated a specific reason for skipping the first three Evolution seasons. Speculation includes a desire to direct, scheduling conflicts, and a wish to explore new roles (The Independent).
The implication: Gubler’s return in Season 18 was a one-time event, and his future involvement remains uncertain.
Timeline signal
- 2005 – Spencer Reid introduced in Criminal Minds season 1.
- 2014 (Season 10) – Reid begins drug addiction storyline.
- 2016–2017 – Reid is abducted and tortured; brain disease revealed.
- February 19, 2020 – Final episode of original Criminal Minds; Reid ends the series with the team.
- November 2022 – Criminal Minds: Evolution premieres without Reid.
- 2023–2025 – Evolution seasons 2 and 3 air; no Reid appearance.
- May 21, 2025 – Gubler returns as Reid in Evolution Season 18, Episode 3 (Parade).
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Matthew Gray Gubler has not appeared in Criminal Minds: Evolution until the guest return in Season 18.
- Gubler returned for one episode as a guest star.
- The original series ended in 2020 without killing off Reid.
- Reid returned to attend Will LaMontagne Jr.’s funeral.
What’s unclear
- Whether Gubler will ever reprise the role in future seasons.
- The exact reason for his absence from Evolution seasons 1-3.
- If the character will be written off entirely in any future season.
Quotes and perspectives
“Matthew Gray Gubler is returning for a guest spot, not a permanent return.”
— Paget Brewster, as reported by The Independent
“Gubler’s return in the episode ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ gives fans a long-awaited reunion with the character.”
— Parade
“I’m grateful for the role and the fans, but I’m focused on directing and other projects.”
— Matthew Gray Gubler (archived interview, per Decider)
The return of Dr. Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 gave fans a moment of closure, but it also highlighted the show’s challenge: without a full-time commitment from Gubler, the character remains a guest star at best. For the franchise, the choice is clear: either continue telling stories without one of its most beloved characters, or find a way to bring him back more permanently.
en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, youtube.com, msn.com, decider.com, vodafone.de, screenrant.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Spencer Reid dead in Criminal Minds?
No, Reid is alive. He made a guest appearance in Season 18, Episode 3 of Criminal Minds: Evolution.
What does Spencer Reid do after Criminal Minds?
In the original finale, he remained with the BAU. In the revival, he returned to attend a funeral and is still working at the FBI.
How old is Spencer Reid?
Reid was born in 1981, making him 44 years old as of 2025 (according to the show’s timeline).
Did Spencer Reid get married?
No, Reid never married in the series. His romantic life was left ambiguous.
What is Matthew Gray Gubler doing now?
Gubler is developing the CBS series Einstein and continues to direct. He returned for a guest role in Criminal Minds: Evolution in 2025.
Will Reid return in a potential season 20?
As of May 2025, no return has been announced beyond the guest episode.
Who is Spencer Reid’s mother?
Reid’s mother, Diana Reid, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She was played by Jane Lynch.
Why did Reid not appear in Criminal Minds: Evolution?
Matthew Gray Gubler chose not to return for the first three seasons of the revival, focusing on other projects. He made a guest return in Season 18.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.