"Criminal Minds" Season 12 may be surrounded by controversy regarding Thomas Gibson's immediate firing, but the show goes on and welcomes a new cast member, Adam Rodriguez. In the meantime, Aisha Tyler has been promoted as series regular.
TVLine shared the first look of Adam Rodriguez as he takes on a scene. "We meet Adam's character, Luke Alvez, in the field doing what he does, which is be a team leader on the [FBI] Fugitive Task Force, He ends up having this great action-y scene, where you really get to see him shine," explained showrunner Erica Messer. Messer also revealed that Rossi would invite Alvez to join BAU, which he would initially decline because he doesn't want to just sit and talk about it. But then he would change his mind and say "All right, I'm in!" by the end of the first episode.
#CriminalMinds Recruit Adam Rodriguez Swings Into Action — #FallTVFirstLook https://t.co/sC0UjXj0Sn
— TVLine.com (@TVLine) August 16, 2016
In a related casting news, Aisha Tyler, who plays as Dr. Tara Lewis, has been promoted from recurring role to series regular, TV Series Finale reported. Dr. Lewis is a forensic psychologist with an expertise in studying and interviewing serial killers.
Adam Rodriguez, 41, is known for his role in "CSI: Miami" (2002-2012), "Jane the Virgin" (2015-2016), "The Night Shift" (2015), and "Reckless" (2014). Aisha Tyler's popular credits include "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" (2013-2016), "Archer" (2009-2016), and "The Talk" (2011-2016).
Meanwhile, Thomas Gibson, who played Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, has been sacked from "Criminal Minds" Season 12 over an on-set altercation where he allegedly kicked a producer. His firing has been immediate, but details as to how his character will be dealt with creatively are yet to be announced. It was previously revealed that there will be a story arc where Hotch will be sent away for a special assignment, so he will be gone for a couple of episodes.
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 premieres on Sept. 28.
