'Criminal Minds' season 12 release date: Will Paget Brewster replace Thomas Gibson as head of BAU?
Since Thomas Gibson who portrays Aaron Hotchner in CBS' police procedural crime drama "Criminal Minds" won't be in season 12, the show might introduce a new Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) chief and Senior Supervisory Special Agent.
Shemar Moore, who plays Derek Morgan, also bid the show farewell last season. Hence, the show might be calling in new stars.
Gibson was fired last month after he reportedly kicked a writer on the set. Initially, the actor was suspended for two episodes and it was decided that he was going to be written out of the said episodes. However, the showrunners ultimately decided to write him out of the forthcoming seasons.
Many believe that Emily Prentiss, who was portrayed by Paget Brewster in past episodes of the show, will be replacing Hotchner in the series.
Sources said that Aisha Tyler, who played the recurring character Dr. Tara Lewis in the previous seasons, got promoted as a series regular in season 12. Adam Rodriguez will also be a new cast member. He will portray Luke Alvez.
Rodriguez will be introduced in the premiere episode, "The Crimson King." Luke will be helping the BAU capture a killer who escaped along with 13 convicts in the previous season. Bodhi Elfman will be reprising his role as serial killer Peter Lewis/Mr. Scratch in the show.
The regular cast members who are expected to appear in the first episode are Joe Mantegna as David Rossi, Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner, Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid, A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, and Kristen Vangsness as Penelope Garcia.
Gibson will only appear in the first two episodes of season 12.
"Criminal Minds" season 12 will premiere on CBS on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 9 p.m. EDT.
