Paget Brewster returning to 'Criminal Minds' full-time

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Paget Brewster has been promoted to series regular ahead of the Season 12 premiere of Criminal Minds, CBS announced.

The actress, who co-starred on the show 2006-12, was scheduled to return as a guest in multiple episodes this season, however she signed on as a full-time cast member after veteran Criminal Minds star Thomas Gibson was fired for allegedly being abusive to the show's staff.

Brewster's first new appearance as Emily Prentiss is slated to air Oct. 12.

"We're all so excited to have Paget with us full-time," Erica Messer, the show's executive producer and showrunner, said in a statement. "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."