Criminal Minds Sequel Could Finally Return Fans' Favorite Character
The real reason for this character's absence has been revealed, giving hope for his appearance in season two.
Dr. Spencer Reid was one of the most popular characters among Criminal Minds viewers.
Many fans wanted to see him in the Criminal Minds: Evolution, but as luck would have it, Matthew Gray Gubler was one of the few who was unable to reprise his role.
Initially, it was reported that the actor had decided not to join the project, but Criminal Minds: Evolution showrunner Erica Messer later explained that Gubler was unable to join due to scheduling conflicts.
Actress A. J. Cook even admitted that she initially didn't want to return when she found out that Gubler wouldn't be playing Reid in the reboot.
"I didn't wanna come back, if he wasn't coming back because our characters are so close. […] I understand that he couldn't do it right now. We all would love for him to come back, at any moment, and he knows that. I think he will come back, at some point, to play," the actress said in her interview with Collider.
In one of the biggest plot twists in Criminal Minds, JJ admitted to having romantic feelings for Reid.
It had previously been established that Reid was also in love with his longtime colleague, but since she was married and had children, he decided to keep those feelings a secret.
When it was revealed that the attraction between them could be mutual, fans were divided. Many of them pointed out that this was not necessary in light of JJ's marriage to Will.
Now that the project has been officially renewed for a second season, there's a lot of hope that Reid will return, and the writers will even be able to explain it.
Throughout the original series, Spencer struggled with drug addiction, which could justify why the first season didn't feature the character. Without Reid, the show is missing an important element, many fans agree.
"He was my favorite other than Mandy Patinkin, plus he was the one who delivered a lot of exposition and profiling jargon/strategy quickly and clearly. Won't be the same without him," Reddit user tagen commented.
Considering the fact that Gubler wasn't able to return to the set because of his busy schedule and not because of reluctance, there is a good reason for optimism.
The fans hope that their dream will come true and that the brilliant Spencer Reid will return to the BAU.