'Criminal Minds' season 12 release date: Will the new guy be a headache for Reid to deal with Morgan's exit?

Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) when they were still working together in BAU. CBS

Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) will have the worse time dealing with Derek Morgan's (Shemar Moore) exit when the 12<sup>th season of "Criminal Minds" begins this fall.

After Morgan chose to leave the team after his life and his loved ones' were endangered because of his job. This had a huge impact on Reid, who was devastated when he had to say goodbye to his closest friend.

Showrunner and executive producer Erica Messer told TV Guide that they will tackle Reid's despair in season 12.

"We will [touch on it] because again it's real," Messer said. "You don't just get over losing your best friend at work. That is something that changes your day. You adapt and you move on, and life goes on. It's not like he's lost him from his life forever; he can always call Morgan. I don't know how much we'll play it actively, but I think it's one more layer that all of them can tap into as we move into Season 12."

But it seems like Reid's longing for his friend will intensify when a new guy joins the team.

Deadline reported that "CSI: Miami" star Adam Rodriguez has been tapped to fill in the void left by Moore. According to the report, Rodriguez will portray the role of a special agent who came from the FBI Fugitive Task Force.

"We have exciting storylines planned for his character and the entire BAU team as we head into our 12th season," Messer said.

The new guy will help Reid and the rest of the team composed of David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), Jennifer Jareau (AJ Cook) and Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) to capture a highly dangerous criminal named Peter "Mr. Scratch" Lewis and 13 other serial killers who were involved in a prison break scandal.

Will Rodriguez's character help Reid get over the departure of Morgan when "Criminal Minds" season 12 premieres on CBS on Sept. 28?

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