Actress Paget Brewster attends the FOX Winter TCA 2016 All-Star Party at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 15, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Alberto E. Rodriguez)
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 is continuously undergoing major changes in terms of its cast following the dismissal of Thomas Gibson in August. The latest movement was the promotion of Paget Brewster, who plays Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss in a recurring role, as a series regular.
Brewster was initially tapped to appear in several episodes of "Criminal Minds" Season 12 as a guest star. Her promotion as a series regular came after the CBS announced that it is searching for two series regular to reportedly fill the void left by lead stars Gibson and Shemar Moore.
"We're all so excited to have Paget with us full time," executive producer and showrunner Erica Messer told DEADLINE. "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."
Brewster left the CBS procedural in 2012 as a series regular. During that time, she focused on multiple pilots, half-hour comedy and other TV series. She made a comeback on the show's 200th episode and another stint last season as a guest star. The actress is set to appear in "Criminal Minds" Season 12 on the Oct. 12 episode.
The changes in casting in the new season swiftly insinuated speculations that the "Grandfathered" actress may take the role as the new BAU chief after Gibson's demise. Aside from her, the show is still looking for another regular cast member, TV Guide reported. The ABC Studio and the CBS have remained tight-lipped on the new casting updates.
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 has undergone major cast shakeup's ahead of its airing. It was earlier reported that Aisha Tyler, who plays Dr. Tara Lewis, was promoted to series regular. New cast member Adam Rodriguez will also be joining the new season as FBI Agent Luke Alvez. The other returning cast members include Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook and Kirsten Vangsness.
Criminal Minds" returns on Sept. 28 at 9 p.m. Check out the latst news about Brewster and the "Criminal Minds"
