Criminal Minds: Evolution can always bring back Spencer Reid and Derek Morgan, but their return will work under one specific storyline, showrunner Erica Messer reveals. After a short broadcasting break, the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is back on the small screen via the Paramount+ revival. Emily Prentiss has a solid team around her as they chase the mystery of Gold Star while ensuring that Elias Voit stays in prison. As great as the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast is, there’s always hope that Shemar Moore and Matthew Gray Gubler eventually return as their respective characters to the franchise.
When asked about this, Messer tells TV Line that the door is always open for Derek, Reid, and even Daniel Henney’s Matt Simmons to appear. However, she reveals that their comebacks will only work if it’s due to a personal matter and not a professional one. Read her full quote below:
At this point, what could bring anybody back [Reid and Matt included] would be an emotional draw versus any case work.
Messer’s Criminal Minds: Evolution Update Makes Bringing Back Morgan And Reid Trickier
Both Moore And Gubler Are Open To Return In Criminal Minds: Evolution
Considering past comments about Reid and Simmons’ whereabouts, Messer’s comments are discouraging. As established in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 by the late Deputy Director Bailey, the pair is working on a case elsewhere, hence why they couldn’t join the BAU in taking down Sicarius and his serial killer network. Despite this, they remain members of Prentiss’ team, which means they can return anytime. This new update makes it seem like there are no concrete plans for bringing Reid and Simmons back just because their separate cases are done. Instead, it should be via a new narrative.
Despite this, Moore said that he is open to returning, adding that the only reason he hasn’t appeared in Criminal Minds: Evolution is because he hasn’t gotten an invitation from the people behind the revival.
This reasoning fits with Morgan’s situation better. Moore’s character left Criminal Minds to focus on his family. He has returned a couple of times during some rough patches for his old team, but he has never fully come back for a case in a professional sense. He has effectively walked away from the job, knowing how dangerous it is for him and his family. Despite this, Moore said that he is open to returning, adding that the only reason he hasn’t appeared in Criminal Minds: Evolution is because he hasn’t gotten an invitation from the people behind the revival.
Regardless of the specifics, perhaps they can return via the already confirmed Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3. No release date has been set for it, considering that season 2 is still in the middle of airing, but perhaps by then, the schedules of Moore, Gubler, and Simmons have all been cleared up for them to participate. It would be a shame for the revival to end with no sighting for any of them.