The BAU is gaining a new member when Criminal Minds Season 11 begins – for a bit, at least. With Kate deciding to be with her family at the end of Season 10 and JJ’s maternity leave, the team is going to have empty holes to fill in the fall.
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Hotch is going to be interviewing candidates to join the BAU, and Aisha Tyler’s Dr. Tara Lewis is going to impress him enough to work with the team in the beginning of Criminal Minds Season 11.
A forensic psychologist, Dr. Lewis “ analyzes [the unsubs] after they’ve been caught to make sure they’re competent to stand trial,” Tyler told Entertainment Weekly .
Executive producer Erica Messer went on to explain that they have to make sure new team members are “worthy of being a part of this elite criminal unit,” and with Dr. Lewis’ skills being something they haven’t had before, she is certainly qualified for the job.
“She brings a different skill set than anyone else we’ve had. Once we’ve done our job and the bad guy is put away, she’s seeing what makes them tick once they aren’t hiding and running anymore.”
EW also posted two photos from the new Criminal Minds season that show Tyler’s Dr. Lewis at work at the BAU. In the first, it looks like she’s meeting Kirsten Vangsness’ Penelope Garcia, based on the handshake. In the second, she’s with Hotch and on the phone. Tyler has a new look for the role, as you can see in the photos, and as she revealed in photos she posted herself from the set.
Headed to @crimminds_CBS right after @TheTalk_CBS today. Doing double duty next few weeks. Will. Require Caffeine. pic.twitter.com/3eUz4CadPs
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) July 21, 2015
Between takes at @CrimMinds_CBS , mid-epic story from @shemarmoore . @gublernation @marisolnichols #thomasgibson pic.twitter.com/19FBdblCyM
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) July 29, 2015
On set at @CrimMinds_CBS . Looking for that #unsub . And maybe my partner, Shaft. pic.twitter.com/8tIM6itIew
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) August 6, 2015
Looking for them #unsubs . #whatididthissummer @CrimMinds_CBS #teamgoals pic.twitter.com/9X0BTTrN2v
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) August 19, 2015
Kicking it with Joe and Thomas between takes. After this, pillow fight! @CrimMinds_CBS pic.twitter.com/EFJH29RhoF
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) August 20, 2015
In other Criminal Minds news, Matthew Gray Gubler spoke to Zap2it and revealed that he will be directing another episode (he has already directed eight episodes, and each has been quite creepy) – and it’s “a special” one.
“I almost don’t want to give it away, but I might as well,” he shared. “It’s the departure of one of the regular team members.”
Furthermore, EW has a tease from Messer about a great moment coming up for Gubler’s character, Dr. Spencer Reid, in the new season’s premiere .
“He gets to do a take down Reid style, which is just using his brain with a physical thing that’s really disturbing – you have to turn away. it’s not a standoff with a gun, it’s a Reid version of a takedown.”
The premiere is going to see the team hunting a serial killer who leaves behind distinctive evidence that points to someone intent on revenge.
Criminal Minds Season 11 will premiere Wednesday, September 30 at 9 p.m. on CBS.
[Image via CBS]