Background
When the series premiered in 2005, it featured FBI Agents Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), and the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). For season one, the team was composed of Agents Elle Greenaway (Lola Glaudini), Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (A.J. Cook), and Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness). During season one, Vangsness was not in the regular cast, but instead appeared as a guest star.
Casting has been volatile. In season two (2006–07), Elle leaves after episode six and is replaced in episode nine by Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), the daughter of an ambassador (Kate Jackson). In season three (2007–08), Jason departs after episode two, but he is replaced several episodes later by David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), a former FBI agent and best-selling author. In season six (2010–11), Jennifer leaves after episode two and is replaced by Ashley Seaver (Rachel Nichols). Later in season six, Emily leaves the show; and Cook returns, as a special guest star, to participate in Prentiss' final episode.
For season seven (2011–12), Cook had signed a two-year contract to return as a series regular at the end of season six and for the beginning of season seven. Brewster also returned as a series regular for season seven. In May 2011, CBS chose not to pick up Nichols' contract for a second season. Moore's and Gibson's contracts were both renewed. Paget Brewster left the show after season seven, and it was later revealed that Jeanne Tripplehorn would join the cast as Brewster's replacement.
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Cast and crew at a Paley Centre discussion of the show
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Cast members in 2011–12: (left to right) Gibson, Cook, Gubler, Mantegna, Brewster and Moore. Absent: Kirsten Vangsness
Read more about this topic: Criminal Minds
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