Everything to Know About ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 2: Will Spencer Reid Return?

The Criminal Minds: Evolution cast is grabbing their go bags for season 2 — and a fan-favorite character might be making his long-awaited return.

When Criminal Minds finished its 15-season run on CBS, fans still wanted more from the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) agents. Thanks to Paramount+, viewers got their wish. The spinoff series, Criminal Minds: Evolution, premiered via the streaming service in November 2022.

This time around, the returning BAU members (nearly every cast member from the original series reprised their roles) followed one serial killer across all 10 episodes: Elias Voit (Zach Gilford).

Before the first season of Evolution came to an end, Paramount+ renewed the show for season 2.

“We’re thrilled to bring even more twisted storylines to our loyal fans of Criminal Minds: Evolution with the order of another season,” Tanya Giles, chief programming officer of Paramount streaming, shared in a January 2023 statement. “The series has always been a consistent top performer for Paramount+, and fans have quickly embraced this new season with its more serialized elements.”

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The statement teased that there are “many dark twists and turns” still to come for the BAU.

Along with more dark and twisty storylines, Evolution fans are also hoping for the return of Matthew Gray Gubler as the famed Dr. Spencer Reid. He was one member of the original cast who did not appear in the first season of the spinoff — much to fans’ chagrin.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2:

What Will ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 2 Be About?

Since Elias Voit created a network of serial killers, it’s safe to say that his influence isn’t out of the picture just yet. Showrunner Erica Messer even teased that they’re “moving on with him involved” in season 2.

“When Zach became Voit, we absolutely fell in love with his portrayal of this guy — this complicated creature,” Messer told Entertainment Weekly in February 2023. “By the time the season ended we were like, ‘Can we keep playing with him? Is there a world where he's in the next season? What does that look like?’ So, we have plans to do that.”

What Cast Members Will Be Returning to ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 2?

Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), AJ Cook (Jennifer "JJ" Jareau), Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia), Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis), Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez) and Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) are set to return.

Will Matthew Gray Gubler Return as Spencer Reid for ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 2?

“I wish that there was some promise that I could make to everybody, but it's not my promise to keep,” Messer told EW in February 2023 about Reid’s return. Gubler, however, revealed that he’d be down to play the character once again.

“I would be honored. I would absolutely love that," the actor shared during a September 2023 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."

After eagle-eyed fans spotted Reid’s nameplate in a social media post from set in May 2024, Messer addressed speculation about Gubler’s return. “It hasn’t worked out for Season 17. But we love him. He loves us,” Messer told TVInsider at the time. “It’s not any of that. It’s just we’ve got to find a time to make it work.”

Messner noted that Reid’s desk and nameplate are still on the set, telling the outlet, “It’s always staying there as far as I’m concerned. … You’ll see it throughout the show.”

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Who Will Felicity Huffman Play on Season 2?

Us confirmed in April 2024 that Felicity Huffman will guest star as the late Jason Gideon’s (Mandy Patinkin) ex-wife, Dr. Jill Gideon. The “brilliant biological psychiatrist” will be enlisted to “help the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit investigate a murderous conspiracy theory,” according to Paramount+.

“Jill is reluctant to return to the bureau’s elite team given her complicated history with David Rossi and her dead ex-husband, Jason Gideon,” the description reads. “But soon realizes her specific skill set could help them uncover another clue to the elusive Gold Star mystery.”

When Did Criminal: Minds Evolution Season 2 Begin Production?

Paramount+ confirmed in April 2024 that season 2 is “currently in production.” At the end of May 2024, Mantegna revealed via an on-set tour video that the season had wrapped filming.

When Will ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 2 Premiere?

The show will return with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, June 6, 2024.