Paget Brewster’s return to Criminal Minds was imminent even before Thomas Gibson was booted from the series for kicking someone on the writing staff. The Grandfathered actress was already slated to guest star in the upcoming season, as she’s done on occasion since stepping down from a series regular spot after six seasons (and a sort-of firing). In addition to Gibson’s ouster, the cast recently said goodbye to series stalwart Shemar Moore after 11 seasons.
Brewster will attempt to right the ship by reprising her role as Emily Prentiss, who left the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to become the chief of Interpol’s London office. But she’ll be back to slum it Stateside and chase down serial killers, including the 12 that escaped at the end of the 11th season. Another Period is on a break right now anyway, so there’s no time like the present for Brewster to pick up a network gig, especially since the show wrote her off in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
Criminal Minds returns to CBS on September 28.