Criminal Minds: Paget Brewster Upped to Series Regular in Season 12 Following Thomas Gibson's Firing
For longtime Criminal Minds fans, this should take some of the sting out of Thomas Gibson’s abrupt dismissal.
In the wake of Gibson’s controversial firing, the CBS procedural has turned former co-star Paget Brewster‘s temporary Season 12 comeback arc as SSA Emily Prentiss into a full-time return. A CBS rep confirms that Brewster is once again a full-fledged series regular.
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“We’re all so excited to have Paget with us full time,” said exec producer Erica Messer in a statement. “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.”
Earlier this month, Gibson was let go from Criminal Minds after an on-set dust-up in which he allegedly kicked a producer. In the past, Gibson had been made to attend anger-management classes after reportedly shoving an assistant director. At the time of his ouster, the actor — who is said to be exploring his legal options — said in a statement: “I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years… I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won’t be possible now.”
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TVLine reported last week that Criminal Minds is looking to add two new series regulars following Gibson’s exit, with one of the characters (presumably Brewster’s Prentiss) eyed to succeed Hotchner as team leader. Previously announced Season 12 tweaks include Adam Rodriguez’s full-time arrival as Alvez and Aisha Tyler’s promotion to series regular as Dr. Tara Lewis.
Criminal Minds‘ 12th season bows Wednesday, Sept. 28. Brewster’s first episode back airs Oct. 12.
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