Criminal Minds is all set to return to the TV screens next month but it looks like fans will have to see the departure of a significant character. Matthew Gray Gubler aka Spencer Reid is said to be leaving the show as it has been hinted at by his co-star A.J. Cook.

Speculations about Matthew Gray Gubler's character Spencer Reid leaving the show have been doing the rounds and now A.J. Cook has also hinted at the same, claims TVLine. The Canadian actress said that there is definitely going to be mayhem within the Reid fandom when the episode centered on him airs in Season 12 of Criminal Minds. If one takes her words into account, some character will be forced to make major decisions in relation to their personal matters.

So, is this character Reid? There are very good chances because in the coming season, his mother Diana (played by Jane Lynch) will be making a comeback. Diana and Reid have been revealed to be standing side by side in a teaser photo from the series. What is more, it is said that the Reid-centric episode 13 will be a course changer for the criminal profiler, reports Yahoo! TV.

This has led to rumors of his departure and given the fact that other actors have also left the CBS series in Season 12, the rumors have been flying thick and fast. If fans remember, Thomas Gibson has been fired and Shemar Moore also left the show. So, is Gubler the next?

As far as the Reid's episode is concerned in Criminal Minds Season 12, it has been written by Erica Messer and Kirsten Vangsness, the latter of whom has said that the hour would be a course change for the resident genius of BAU. Messer has also said that Lynch's (Diana) multiple upcoming appearances kind of resets where Reid is with his mother in her struggle.

Notably, Diana was admitted to an experimental Alzheimer treatment program and the last we saw her she was wandering in a Las Vegas casino after she was eliminated from the program due to a budget cut.

Criminal Minds Season 12 returns to CBS on February 1. Watch the official promo below.