‘Criminal Minds’ Ups Paget Brewster to Series Regular in Wake of Thomas Gibson Firing

CBS’ Criminal Minds has found at least one way to fill the void created by Thomas Gibson’s firing.

The veteran procedural has promoted Paget Brewster to series regular for the upcoming 12th season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

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Brewster was previously set to return to the CBS drama in a multiple-episode guest-starring role and reprise SSA Emily Prentiss. She will now be a series regular for the first time since season seven. Brewster first joined the drama in season two. She was credited as a special guest in season nine and returned last season as part of the storyline that saw original series star Shemar Moore exit after 11 seasons.

Brewster joins CSI: Miami grad Adam Rodriguez as a new series regular for season 12. He debuts in the season 12 premiere, set for Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 9 p.m. Brewster will make her debut Wednesday, Oct. 12.

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“We’re all so excited to have Paget with us full-time,” showrunner Erica Messer said. “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.”

The news comes two and a half weeks after original series star Gibson was fired from the ABC Studios/CBS Television Studios drama following an on-set altercation in which he kicked a writer of the series. Gibson is currently mulling legal action.