Who has Criminal Minds star Matthew Gray Gubler dated on and off screen? From a rumoured hook-up with Taylor Swift to friendship with ex Kat Dennings, here’s Dr Spencer Reid’s IRL relationship history

Feb 23 , 2025

Actor and director Matthew Gray Gubler discusses the TV show Criminal Minds during an episode of the Build Series. Photo: Getty Images

Gubler appeared in 15 seasons of FBI drama Criminal Minds, and while his character never had a long-term relationship, the model-turned-actor has dated famous women, from pop stars to actresses

For 15 seasons of TV show Criminal Minds, from 2005 to 2020, Matthew Gray Gubler played Dr Spencer Reid, a behavioural analyst for the FBI. Known for his sharp wit and expertise in solving complex crimes, the character quickly became a fan favourite.

Matthew Gray Gubler starred in Criminal Minds for 15 seasons. Photo: Getty Images

Despite spending a decade and a half on the show, Reid was one of the few characters who never had a long-term romantic relationship. His first love interest was Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer “JJ” Jareau (A.J. Cook), but their dynamic shifted to more of a brother-sister connection. In season eight, he seems to have finally found “the one” in the form of geneticist Maeve Donovan (Beth Riesgraf), but she is murdered by her stalker. A new relationship with art teacher Maxine Brenner (Rachael Leigh Cook) in the series finale ended ambiguously, leaving their relationship status unclear.

But while Gubler’s on-screen love life remained largely unsuccessful, his real-life relationships are a different story. Let’s take a closer look at his rumoured dating history.

Was there love on the runway?

Matthew Gray Gubler worked as a model before finding fame on TV. Photo: @gublergram/Instagram

While studying at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in the early noughties, Las Vegas native Gubler, now 44, was discovered by a model scout and went on to appear in campaigns for fashion brands such as Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2004, says Nicki Swift, he was linked with singer and fellow model Charlotte Kemp Muhl. However, Muhl later took to Instagram to clarify that the two were just friends.

Friends and pop stars

In 2007, Gubler dated 2 Broke Girls sitcom star Kat Dennings for a few months, according to Nicki Swift. Their relationship ended owing to the demanding filming schedule of Criminal Minds, but the two have remained close friends.

“I’m still really good friends with her. I love Kat. She’s the best,” said Gubler in a 2015 interview with Glamour magazine. They would even go on to co-star in the 2019 comedy series Dollface.