Criminal Minds season 12 is gaining a new series regular.
At the Television Critics Association press tour this morning, CBS president Glenn Geller made the announcement that Aisha Tyler would be joining as a series regular, Variety reports.
Tyler first appeared in Criminal Minds in the season 11 premiere and had a recurring role, appearing in 19 episodes in total. In season 12, Tyler will reprise her role as Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist who specializes in interviewing serial killers after they’ve been caught. Her character is responsible for determining if an unstable subject is able to stand trial.
Aside from now being a regular cast-member on Criminal Minds, Tyler is also ones of the hosts of The Talk on CBS. However, her new gig doesn’t mean she will have to leave the talk show. Tyler will be able to balance both roles.
The twelfth season of Criminal Minds will feature some new and old faces. In addition to Tyler, Adam Rodriguez was also cast as regular cast-member. Roderiguez will play a member of the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force which is a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
While Criminal Minds is introducing two new characters, a former cast-member will be reprising her role as well. That’s right, Paget Brewster is also returning as FBI agent Emily Prentiss. Brewster had returned for a one episode appearance in season 11, but then last month CBS revealed she would be returning once again as a series regular.
Unfortunately, Criminal Minds isn’t just adding new characters and bringing back old ones. Partway through season 11 Shemar Moore, who played Special Agent Derek Morgan, left the series. Moore was easily a fan favorite and had been a member of the BAU since the very beginning. Moore had wanted to leave the show for a while but was convinced to continue into the eleventh season to give his character a proper farewell. He cited a desire to grow as an actor as his reason for leaving, and we have to keep in mind that 11 seasons is a very long time.
Tyler, Rodriguez and Brewster will star alongside Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook and Kirsten Vangsness.
Criminal Minds season 12 will premiere on September 28 on CBS.