The "Criminal Minds" family continues to grow, and more additions are coming in the premiere episode of season 11.
At the end of the previous season, JJ (A.J. Cook) revealed that she is pregnant. Cook was actually pregnant at that time with her second child with husband Nathan Andersen. This means that she will miss several episodes in the 11<sup>th season of "Criminal Minds."
But in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Erica Messer said that JJ will drop by in the premiere episode with a little surprise.
"We are going to be able to see her in the first episode with her little baby and we're going to have her be on maternity leave for the first six episodes of the season," the series executive producer shared.
Messer also said that there is a significance in the cameo appearance of Cook and her newborn son to the series. "We wanted to play the reality of this is what happens when people have babies in the workplace. They don't come back the next day. We're playing that reality and we'll even get to see A.J.'s actual baby, which is something she did the first time when she had her first son. It's truly a family affair," the executive producer stated.
TV Guide also shared an exclusive first look at the actress with her actual newborn child.
Since JJ will not be around for six episodes and Jennifer Love Hewitt's character Kate also left BAU last season, the team needs to find a replacement for the vacant positions. That is why "Ghost Whisperer" alum Aisha Tyler was tapped to portray the recurring role of forensic psychologist Dr. Tara Lewis. Her expertise will help the team determine if a serial killer is fit to stand trial.
"Criminal Minds" season 11 will premiere with the episode titled "The Job" on Wednesday, Sept. 30, on CBS. The full episode will also be seen via streaming on the CBS All-Access program that is available for free during the one-month trial period.
