‘Criminal Minds’: Does Paget Brewster’s Promotion Mean Prentiss Is Replacing Hotch?
CBS has announced the news that Paget Brewster, who played special agent Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds from 20016 to 2012, will become a series regular.
CNN reported on the announcement comes almost three weeks after news that Thomas Gibson, who played Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner on the show, was fired following an on-screen altercation with writer/producer Virgil Williams. Since Gibson was fired, fans have wondered how Hotch would be written out of the show. Today’s news could mean that Paget Brewster’s character will step into his shoes as team leader of the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Brewster will make her debut as a Criminal Minds regular in the October 12 episode. Because her character was so popular, Paget appeared in Season 9 and again in Season 11 as part of Shemar Moore’s departure. She was also scheduled to appear in several episodes this year before Thomas Gibson was fired.
Executive producer Erica Messer issued a statement in which she said, “We’re all so excited to have Paget with us full time. 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 isn’t the only Criminal Minds cast member to receive a promotion. As reported by the International Business Times, Aisha Tyler, who plays psychologist Dr. Tara Lewis, has also been promoted to a regular spot on the series. Adam Rodriguez was also recently added to the cast. He will play FBI agent Luke Alvez. In addition to promotions, Criminal Minds is expected to add a couple of new characters to the cast for Season 12. There has been no news on who that may be at this time.
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Paget Brewster’s character, Emily Prentiss, certainly had the knowledge and background as a special agent to step into the spot as BAU team lead that was recently vacated by Thomas Gibson. At this time, it isn’t known how Gibson will be written out of the show, but Season 11 ended with the escape of several serial killers, so it’s possible that Hotch’s death will somehow be linked to one of them.
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Erica Messer didn’t share any details on Brewster’s role in Season 12 of Criminal Minds, but she did tell Entertainment Weekly a little bit about what fans can expect in the new episodes.
“Last year’s cliffhanger ended with serial killers who escaped, but were supposedly caught over the summer by Luke Alvez, the new character played by Adam Rodriguez. There are still five out there when we come into the premiere. One of them is a guy Peter Lewis plays named Mr. Scratch. He is our baddie for the year. We will stretch him out and tell his creepy tales.”
Mr. Scratch is the killer who uses mind-altering drugs to get his victims to do his bidding. There could be some very interesting stories with this one!
Besides Criminal Minds, Paget Brewster is mostly known for her role as Dodo Bellacourt on the TV series Another Period and her role as Francesca “Frankie” Dart on the TV series Community. Paget has also made guest appearances on Two and a Half Men, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and Modern Family. Brewster also had a recurring role as Kathy in Season 4 of Friends.
Criminal Minds has been on CBS since 2005. It has three Primetime Emmy nominations — all for Tom Elliott for Outstanding Stunt Coordination. Season 12 will premiere on Wednesday, September 28 at 9 p.m. ET.
[Photo by Rene Macura/AP Images]
