A familiar face will return to "Criminal Minds" season 12 when actress Paget Brewster reprises her role as Emily Prentiss.

This time, however, Prentiss will not be dropping by for a guesting but rather as a recurring character.

In a promo for episode 3 — entitled Taboo — the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) will work on a case involving a murderer who mutilates the bodies of his victims and buries them under layers of cement, Parent Herald reported

Based on the sneak of the episode, newcomer Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) tells Prentiss in confidence that they should keep the details of the case under wraps. The case will involve three women who were victimized by the suspect. The case is expected to jumpstart a friendship between the two characters despite a shaky start to their working relationship.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that actor Damon Gupton has been cast as Thomas Gibson's replacement after the show's lead actor was fired over an on-set altercation with a writer for the show.

Gibson's character Hotch — who leads the BAU — has been sent on a "special assignment" by writers of the show and it is unsure whether his character will return to provide closure or if he will remain where he is.

According to the report, Gupton will play the character of Special Agent Stephen Walker who is described as "a new hire who hails from the Behavioral Analysis Program, the counterintelligence division of the FBI. A seasoned profiler, he will bring his spy-hunting skill set to the BAU. Gupton's character will be introduced in the eighth episode of season 12."

Gupton will be introduced in episode 8. The actor previously appeared in episodes of "Empire" and "Bates Motel."

"Our BAU family is growing. We're excited to have Damon join the show and work alongside our amazing cast and crew," showrunner Erica Messer said.