Does Spencer Reid die in Criminal Minds? Character's fate explored in depth

Reid was one of the main characters in all 15 seasons of Criminal Minds till the show wrapped up in 2020.

However, in 2022, when the show was rebooted as Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+, Gubler’s character was one of the very few who did not come back. Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid is finally coming back to Criminal Minds, and the fans are happier than ever. Fans of the show have since then speculated and expected that he will be coming back at some point, and it has taken three years for that to finally happen.

While Spencer Reid is coming back to Criminal Minds: Evolution, he will only be seen in a single episode of the third season, as reported by People Magazine. With the character’s return confirmed, let us now explore what happened to him in the OG Criminal Minds and what kept him so long from returning.

Did Spencer Reid die in Criminal Minds?

In Criminal Minds Season 15, Reid’s character was shown to be suffering a brain injury. While his recovery was assured, it was hinted that it would take him some time to get back to normal life. He needed rest, and that is why his absence in the Criminal Minds reboot was also logical.

Now, with the news of his return confirmed, it should be noted that the storyline for Criminal Minds: Evolution mentioned that Special Agent Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney) and Spencer Reid have been busy with an assignment about which not much information is provided.

None of the two characters have returned to the reboot despite most of the original cast members coming back to the show. Regarding this, Eric Messer, the showrunner, talked about these two characters during the premiere of Criminal Minds: Evolution in 2022 and mentioned,

‘It’s a bit of a mystery what Reid and Simmons are up to, but they’re certainly not forgotten. Dr. Reid’s and, I believe, Matt Simmons’ desks are still there [and] still have stuff on it. [Reid and Simmons] are not gone.’

While it did take three years for Reid’s to come back and prove that Messer was not only teasing when he said this, fans are now extremely excited for this much awaited return.

What does Matthew Gray Gubler have to say about his return to Criminal Minds?

After starring in over 300 episodes of Criminal Minds, when Gubler finally bid adieu to the show in 2020, he shared an emotional Instagram post saying,

“I’ve carried these 3 props with me almost every day for the last 15 years. After tonight I’ll just carry them in my heart where I will forever keep memories of the best crew, the best cast, and the best fands (fans/friends) a fictional crimefighter could ever have.”

This showed how attached he was to the show, and therefore when he did not return for the sequel, it was a disappointment for the fans. However, as mentioned by Gubler himself and also by Messer, it was mainly timing issues that kept Spencer Reid from reappearing in the show.

Talking about appearing on Criminal Minds: Evolution, Gubler once said in an interview,

“They did a newer spinoff of the show, but it was filming during a time when I was shooting something else. But I can’t wait—hopefully it will soon work out.”

Well, his words have come true, and things have indeed worked out now. So fans can brace themselves for Reid’s return; also, it’s going to be brief and only last for a single episode.

Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds: Evolution can be streamed on Hulu and Paramount+, respectively.