"Criminal Minds" may not be the same without Thomas Gibson, who plays Behavioral Analysis Unit's (BAU) leader, Aaron Hotchner a.k.a Hotch. However, the series will bring back fan-favorite Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) in "Criminal Minds" Season 12.
After it was confirmed that Gibson has been fired from set due to an altercation with a series writer, CBS has announced that Brewster will return for "Criminal Minds" Season 12 to reprise her role as former BAU member and Interpol Agent Prentiss. How Hotchner will make his exit in the crime drama series has yet to be determined but there are now speculations that Prentiss will soon replace him as the BAU leader.
According to Zap2It, Prentiss' time at the Interpol may have helped her acquire leadership skills; she may have become even more effective in catching perpetrators. All these skills will make her suitable to become BAU chief in the upcoming "Criminal Minds" Season 12. The publication also speculated that Shemar Moore, who made his exit in the previous season of "Criminal Minds," might come back to reprise Derek Morgan and he is also considered a fitting candidate for the position.
Whether or not Moore will make a comeback in "Criminal Minds" Season 12 remains to be seen but Brewster is already set to return and she will make her first appearance on Oct. 12, Deadline has confirmed. The "Criminal Minds" cast and crew members are glad to have the actress back in the project.
"We're all so excited to have Paget with us full time," "Criminal Minds" Season 12 executive producer Erica Messer stated. "The BAU family has definitely missed her, on screen and off. Having her back on set has been great, it's like she never left."
Meanwhile, "Criminal Minds" Season 12 will also bring a new character played by Adam Rodriguez. Rodriguez plays the role of Agent Luke Alvez, team leader of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force, Messer told TVLine. "Criminal Minds" season 12 premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
