Matthew Gray Gubler Returns to CBS With Einstein & NYCC Reveals New Family Drama
Matthew Gray Gubler is returning to CBS crime television, but don't expect Dr. Spencer Reid to walk through the door. The former Criminal Minds favorite is trading FBI profiling for a very different kind of genius in Einstein, a new crime-solving series that received a special screening during New York Comic Con on Sunday, October 11.
Gubler stars as Lewis Einstein, the brilliant but somewhat directionless great-grandson of Albert Einstein, who finds himself working alongside a detective to solve cases that demand more than conventional police work. And while the premise already sounds like the kind of television that could become an entertaining weekly obsession, the NYCC panel revealed that Lewis has some complicated family business to deal with, too. Because being descended from one of history's greatest minds doesn't automatically mean you've figured out your own life.
A Genius Who Doesn't Have Everything Figured Out
Lewis Einstein has inherited an extraordinary intellect, but he's not exactly living the polished, accomplished life people might expect from someone carrying that famous last name. He's an eccentric professor whose intelligence hasn't necessarily translated into personal direction or professional success.
That changes when he forms an unlikely partnership with a detective, portrayed by Melissa Fumero. Together, they investigate unusual crimes that require Lewis to apply his scientific knowledge and unconventional thinking to problems that don't come with straightforward answers.
It's a setup that plays directly into Gubler's strengths as a performer. He spent years making Spencer Reid one of the most recognizable characters on Criminal Minds, balancing extraordinary intelligence with awkward humor, emotional vulnerability, and the occasional difficulty navigating ordinary human interactions.
Lewis isn't Reid, however, and that's probably the most important distinction. Rather than another FBI genius surrounded by profilers, Gubler is playing a man whose greatest obstacle may be figuring out what to do with his own potential.
Tony Shalhoub Brings Some Father-Son Drama
The NYCC screening gave attendees an early look at the series premiere, followed by a panel featuring Gubler, Fumero, and Tony Shalhoub. The event also included an exclusive scene highlighting Lewis' complicated relationship with his father, Jack, portrayed by Shalhoub.
Now that's a combination worth paying attention to. Shalhoub knows a thing or two about portraying brilliant, eccentric characters, thanks to his acclaimed run as Adrian Monk. Watching him play the father of another unconventional crime-solving genius creates some pretty fun possibilities.
But the father-son dynamic also suggests that Einstein has ambitions beyond its weekly mysteries. Lewis' relationship with Jack could help explain why someone with so much intellectual potential struggles to find his place in the world. There's also an opportunity for some wonderful comedic friction between these performers, particularly if Lewis and Jack are anything alike. Two brilliant minds in the same family don't always make for peaceful family dinners.
Melissa Fumero Is Back in Familiar Territory, With a Twist
Fumero, best known to many viewers for playing Amy Santiago on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, returns to the world of crime-solving television as the detective working with Lewis.
The pairing has plenty of potential. Fumero has already demonstrated her ability to balance sharp comedic timing with the demands of a police procedural, while Gubler brings his own wonderfully unconventional energy to the screen.
The big question is how their characters will work together when one approaches an investigation through traditional detective work and the other sees the world through the lens of physics, mathematics, and whatever else happens to be running through his mind. And if Lewis has even half the social awkwardness that made Reid so entertaining, we're guessing his new partner will need a little patience.
Could Einstein Be CBS's Next Crime-Solving Obsession?
CBS certainly knows its way around a successful procedural, and Einstein has an advantage in two leads who already have established fan bases. Gubler's return to the network is a major draw, while Fumero brings the kind of comedic experience that could help distinguish the series from more traditional crime dramas.
The addition of Shalhoub gives the show another compelling element, particularly if Lewis' family relationships become an ongoing part of the story. After all, solving crimes is one thing, but trying to live up to the Einstein name while dealing with a complicated father is a different kind of mystery.
The challenge will be making Lewis feel like his own character rather than simply another version of Spencer Reid. Fortunately, the lighter tone, unconventional partnership, and emphasis on family provide several opportunities for the series to establish its own identity.
Following its NYCC premiere screening, Einstein is positioning itself as a blend of mystery, humor, and heart. And with Gubler, Fumero, and Shalhoub involved, there's certainly enough talent here to make the upcoming CBS series worth keeping on the radar.
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