With Thomas Gibson officially leaving "Criminal Minds" season 12 following an altercation after having only filmed two full episodes, a report from TVLine confirms that actress Paget Brewster is now being upgraded to series regular. Her character. Emily Prentiss, was originally meant to appear for a short story arc.

"We're all so excited to have Paget with us full time," explained executive producer Erica Messer. "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."

Fans speculate this means SSA Emily Prentiss will step up as the new leader for the BAU given that Gibson's character, Aaron Hotchner, will abruptly leave the show. TVLine does point out that the showrunners have been looking to add two new series regular, one of which would replace Hotchner as the head of the BAU team.

Brewster's return comes following the confirmation that Adam Rodriguez will be in the series as Alvez and Aisha Tyler has been promoted to series regular. 

Brewster was a series regular for the show from season 1 to season 7. She later returned for a short story arc back in season 11 and was initially going to be in season 12 for another short arc until she had been promoted to series regular and possibly as the new main lead.

Zap2It further reveals that her return to the series will be a fascinating one given that after her departure the character had been in hiding and then later joined Interpol. The report speculates that during her time with Interpol she may have acquired more skills that will make her an appropriate team leader to replace Hotchner.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 will premiere this Sept. 28 but it will still have Thomas Gibson as the main lead for the first two episodes. Brewster's return will air on Oct. 12.