Einstein Stars Matthew Gray Gubler, Melissa Fumero, And Tony Shalhoub Preview CBS Crime-Solving Comedy From Monk EPs

Matthew Gray Gubler is returning to CBS, trading one brilliant mind for another. 

The "Criminal Minds" alum stars in "Einstein," a new comedic procedural premiering at midseason in 2027 (exact date TBA). Per the official logline, Gubler plays Lewis Einstein, "the brilliant but directionless great grandson of Albert Einstein," whose reckless antics land him in trouble with the law. He's subsequently pressed into service helping Detective Teri London (played by "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" alum Melissa Fumero) solve her most puzzling cases. 

The series also reunites "Monk" star Tony Shalhoub with executive producers Andy Breckman and Randy Zisk, though Shalhoub finds himself on the other side of the law as Lewis' estranged father, Jack.

At New York Comic Con (where I'd moderated a "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" reunion panel just days earlier), I caught up with Gubler, Fumero, and Shalhoub about their new roles, how they compare to some of their most beloved characters, and the relationships that will shape Season 1.

For Gubler, the biggest difference between Lewis Einstein and BAU Supervisory Special Agent Spencer Reid comes down to tone. "I look at it like two trees, like a palm tree and a pine tree," he explains. "They're both trees, but they're rather different." Both characters are exceptionally intelligent, but Lewis operates in a much more comedic world.

Fumero describes Teri as more grounded and self-assured than her "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" alter ego, the "lovingly neurotic" Amy Santiago. In fact, she doesn't think the two detectives would get along ("Oh, God, no!"), joking that Amy would probably "annoy" Teri.

As for what Teri gets out of her unlikely partnership with Lewis, Fumero says "he makes her better at her job." She describes him as "this wild disruption that comes into her life that she didn't even know she needed," explaining that Lewis makes Teri realize "she's not really living to the fullest."

And the feeling is mutual. "I think they both kind of do that for each other," Fumero continues. "It's this really lovely friendship of opening each other's eyes and being a mirror for each other."

Jan Thijs/CBS

Shalhoub, meanwhile, relishes the opportunity to reunite with his former "Monk" collaborators while playing a very different character. "It's so refreshing after 125 episodes and a film of 'Monk' to be working with the same creative team — the same writer and the same director/showrunner — but to be [playing] a completely different person," he says.

And after so many years working with Breckman, Shalhoub says their creative shorthand comes naturally. "I speak Breckman," he jokes. "And he knows how to write for me, to me."

As for Jack's relationship with Lewis, Shalhoub describes it as "very complicated and, frankly, dysfunctional." Jack, who is introduced in jail, "was not there for his son. He's a bit of a survivor, in his mind, but he's a bit of a scam artist." Still, Jack is "trying to reconnect to his son, but he just does not have the mental or social tools to accomplish that."

Bertrand Calmeau/CBS

We also asked Gubler whether he'd be open to another return to "Criminal Minds," following his brief appearance in Season 18, and all three stars weighed in on which former co-stars they'd love to reunite with on "Einstein." Fumero name-checked "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" castmates Joe Lo Truglio and Stephanie Beatriz, while Shalhoub floated a reunion with his "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" co-stars. As for Gubler? He teased some exciting guest stars ahead — and even playfully whispered one name in my ear. 

Watch the video interview above — we'll have even more following the 2027 premiere — then leave a comment and let us know if you'll be tuning in to "Einstein."