Scoop: CRIMINAL MINDS on CBS - Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Scoop: CRIMINAL MINDS on CBS - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 “The Silencer” – When a Texas prisoner escapes during a transfer, he leaves behind victims with his unique trademark, sewing their mouths shut, a signature the BAU remembers as unique to the UnSub “The Silencer.” While they investigate who he was and who he's become, the BAU also gets to know the newest member of the team, on the eighth season premiere of CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Sept. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Emmy Award-nominated actress Jeanne Tripplehorn joins the cast as linguistics expert Alex Blake, the newest member of the BAU team.

CRIMINAL MINDS revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit’s most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU, who is essential in helping the team solve new cases. The BAU team is led by Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, a strong profiler who is able to gain people's trust and unlock their secrets. Other members include Special Agent Derek Morgan, an expert on obsessional crimes; Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, a classically misunderstood genius whose social IQ is as low as his intellectual IQ is high; Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, the team’s former unit liaison-turned-profiler who recently married her longtime love; Penelope Garcia, the team’s indispensible computer wizard who helps research the cases with her unique charm; and the team’s newest member, Alex Blake, who rejoins the FBI after a stint as a university teacher and brings her linguistics expertise to the BAU. Each member brings his or her own area of expertise to the table as they pinpoint predators' motivations and identify their emotional triggers in the attempt to stop them.

SERIES REGULARS:

Joe Mantegna (David Rossi)

Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner)

Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan)

Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid)

A.J. Cook (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau)

Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia)

Jeanne Tripplehorn (Alex Blake)

GUEST CAST:

Jayne Atkinson (FBI Section Chief Director Erin Strauss)

Troy Michael Kotsur (John Myers)

Sam Hennings (Marshall John Tilghman)

Ray Mirabal (Mitch Gregory)

Tracy Fraim (Kevin Jenson)

Julia Silverman (Dr. Janine Ainsworth)

Matt Beck (Tyler Parker)

Brian Slaten (Danny Tucker)

Meagan Campbell (Laura Tucker)

Bianca D’Ambrosio (Kelly Tucker)

Jessica Ires Morris (Julie Myers)

Kayla Tabish (Girl at Rest Stop)

AiDan Collins (Young James)

Jarrod Bailey (Teenage James)

WRITTEN BY: Erica Messer, one of the series’ executive producers

DIRECTED BY: Glenn Kershaw