The iconic crime drama Criminal Minds is back for its 16th season, but two of the most cherished original characters, Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons, are not going to be part of the cast. The television show has been around since 2005, finishing off its final season on CBS in 2020. The show accumulated a huge fan base over the years, leading to a Criminal Minds season 16 revival on Paramount +.
The revival has been in the works for quite some time. About a year after the ending, there were talks of a rumored revival season, with no confirmation. In between, there have been two spin-off shows, including a Korean version and a video game based on the original show. Producer and showrunner Erica Messer, as well as six other beloved actors, will return for Criminal Minds season 16. The new season was finally confirmed, with filming beginning in August of this year. The new Paramount + season will be shorter at 10 episodes instead of the usual 22, and will center around a very recent topic. The group of crime solvers will work on a case involving an Unsub who created a network of serial killers on Criminal Minds during the pandemic. After the world begins to reopen, havoc breaks loose as the team hunts down each serial killer based on multiple murders.
However, a few beloved members of that team will not return for Criminal Minds season 16. Matthew Gray Gubler played the well-loved role of Dr. Spencer Reid, the calculating genius. Gubler will not be returning as he has previously discussed that he was ready to move on from his role on the show after playing the character for about 15 years. Daniel Henney, who played Matt Simmons on the show, will also not return as he is the current star of the Amazon Prime original series Wheel of Time. With his busy filming schedule, it’s clear that he’s not able to do both shows.
Could Spencer Reid & Matt Simmons Still Return In The Criminal Minds Reboot?
There’s a slight possibility for the two characters to return to the Criminal Minds reboot. They are the only two of the original cast who haven’t signed onto the revival yet, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t in the future. While these actors might not want to be tied down to the show exclusively, they might appear in the series as a cameo or for a brief moment. Both actors expressed sadness when the original show was coming to an end, so it won’t be entirely surprising if they decide to make an appearance in the reboot. Being able to see them reprise their roles, even for a short while, would be amazing for the dedicated audience to see.
Criminal Minds has had an amazing 15-season run, several spinoffs, and now a new revival season. It’s evident that this show means a lot to its fan base, so it’s incredible that some of the original actors are coming back for more. Although Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons won’t be present, the new series will still be a fantastic treat for loyal viewers.
