Warning! Spoilers ahead for Criminal Minds: Evolution. JJ actor AJ Cook admits to almost turning down after learning that Matthew Gray Gubler wouldn't be in it. FBI's BAU returns on Paramount+ for the quasi-revival, and while brings back the core cast from the CBS show, it is missing two SSAs: Daniel Henney's Matt Simmons and Gubler's Spencer Reid. Simmons' absence, while still disappointing, isn't as big as not having BAU's golden boy for the team's ongoing case.

While fans have been having a difficult time dealing with the fact that Reid isn't in the reboot, his former co-stars also struggled to come to terms with Gubler not partaking in the project.

Speaking with in light of 's special, two-episode premiere on Paramount+, Cook opens up about returning to the police procedural without her longtime castmate.

Upon learning that on the streaming show, the actor confesses that she contemplated turning down the offer to star in the series as well. Read Cook's full quote below:

Matthew is one of the most charismatic, larger than life, yet very real, people I've ever met. It was actually really, really difficult for me when I found out he wasn't gonna be able to come back.

I considered not [returning]. I was like, 'I don't know how to do this without him. Like, how do we do this?' [Spencer and JJ are] best friends. I kind of struggled with that at first. We all want him there. Hopefully, that will all come together because he's so much fun to be around. He's just that guy that you want to be around. Good energy.

What Happened To Reid In Criminal Minds: Evolution?

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