Paget Brewster joins 'Criminal Minds' as full-time cast

"

Criminal Minds

" has brought back one of the show's all-time best characters, Paget Brewster, following the dismissal of its leading man Thomas Gibson for an on-set spat with a writer.

Showrunner

Erica Messer

has confirmed that the 47-year-old actress has now been made permanent on the CBS drama's 12th season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

READ ALSO:'Criminal Minds' renewed for season 12

"We're all so excited to have Paget with us full-time. 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," Messer said.

Brewster originally starred on "Criminal Minds" for five years, before stepping away in 2012.

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