“We wanted both back”: Matthew Gray Gubler isn’t the Only OG Star the Criminal Minds Reboot Failed to Get

It was a blessed day for the fans of the police crime drama, Criminal Minds when it was rebooted as Criminal Minds: Evolution after Season 15. One of the longest-running TV shows of all time, fans had grown attached to its interesting group of criminal profiles working for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU).

However, several fans were left disappointed when two of its OG stars failed to return. Apart from Matthew Gray Gubler, who played Spencer Reid, the rebooted series lacked the presence of another fan-favorite, Daniel Henney.

Matthew Gray Gubler Wasn’t the Only Criminals Minds Star Missing from the Reboot

When the fan favorite Criminal Minds returned with a whole new look and feel, fans were left severely disappointed when two of their favorite characters were missing from the cast. Original cast members, Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney were two of the only cast members who did not come back to the show.

While Gubler brought an endearing quirkiness to his Dr. Spencer Reid, Henney as Matt Simmons excluded a quiet confidence, blending physical prowess with emotional depth. Over the years, fans grew to love not just Reid and Simmons but also the actors behind the curtains, making both beloved figures in the Criminal Minds fandom.

Both Gubler and Henney were unable to return due to scheduling conflicts and these conflicts have prevented them from being part of Criminal Minds: Evolution for two seasons now. Yet, there is a possibility that they might return sometime in the future for not only are their characters present in the reboot’s world but are explained to be away on a confidential assignment.

Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney Might Return in Criminal Minds

Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney might not have been in the Criminal Minds reboot, but there is always a chance for their return since their characters still exist in the TV show. Showrunner Erica Messer revealed to TV Insider that even though they can’t discuss what their characters have been up to in the show, it will come into play next year what they’ve been doing.

Although whether they return or not is entirely up to them, Messer added that the team wanted them both back, but their other projects prevented their return.

It was literally logistics; we just couldn’t get them. But we are all talking regularly, and fingers crossed we can make something work out, but we’re cheering on what Matthew and Daniel are doing when they’re not with us.

In another interview with TV Insider, Messer revealed that everyone is hopeful of their return and if one day it all works out, the team will be happy to work it out. While Gubler revealed to The Six O’Clock Show that he will absolutely come back if given the chance, Henney has yet to open up about it. Yet, given the showrunner’s response, fans have their fingers crossed that they will get to see Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons someday again.