After returning to Criminal Minds for multiple episodes for this upcoming season, popular former cast member Paget Brewster has been upped to a regular. She is reprising her role as SSA Emily Prentiss, joining the BAU when they need her most, with the escape of 13 serial killers. Her first episode is tentatively scheduled to air Wednesday, October 12.

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Brewster’s promotion follows the recent dismissal of original Criminal Minds cast member Thomas Gibson. The series is in the process of boosting its regular ranks.

“We’re all so excited to have Paget with us full time,” said Criminal Minds executive producer/showrunner 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.”

Brewster, who became available after the end of her Fox comedy series Grandfathered, left Criminal Minds at the end of Season 7 in 2012 after six seasons as a regular on the show to pursue half-hour comedy, doing multiple pilots and series. She then returned for Criminal Minds‘ 200th episode during the 2013-14 season and again for an episode last season.

Brewster’s 2012 departure capped a roller-coaster 2 years for her on the show. In the summer of 2010, she was asked to continue on Criminal Minds in a reduced capacity. Brewster ended up being in every episode until she left to do a pilot. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the pilot at the time, she shot a cliff-hanger ending for her character in the Season 6 finale. When the pilot didn’t get picked up, she was enlisted for the seventh season of Criminal Minds. The actress left at the end of that season when her contract was up.

Criminal Minds is produced by ABC Studios in association with CBS Television Studios. Its 12th season premieres on Wednesday, September 28.