'Criminal Minds' season 12 spoilers: Adam Rodriguez joins the BAU as a series regular, EP hints different approach for the upcoming season

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) may have lost one of their own, but a new character will step in to fill the void left by Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) for season 12.

Former "CSI: Miami" star Adam Rodriguez is poised to be a part of the BAU once the police procedural series returns later this year. According to Us Weekly, Rodriguez will portray the character of a "special agent on the FBI Fugitive Task Force" in the BAU. "We have exciting storylines planned for his character and the entire Behavioral Analysis Unit team as we head into our 12th season," showrunner Erica Messer mentioned in a press statement.

The 41-year-old actor took his excitement to his social media account by saying how grateful and happy he was after being cast as a series regular. "Just wanted to say how happy I am to be joining the cast of this great show! I look forward to working with the family of people involved in making this such a long-standing hit and to entertaining all of the wonderful fans that have made it possible!" his Facebook post last Wednesday reads.

In an interview with TV Guide, Messer hinted that they will have a different approach for the upcoming season 12. "It's going to be a really fun, different year," the EP stated. "I think, creatively, we're both really excited. I feel like with our amazing fan base who watches every week, you can get away with a little more serialized storytelling than when we started the series."

The previous season left off with 13 murderers escaping prison, which leaves the team a whole season dedicated to catching a baker's dozen of unsubs before they cause any more trouble. Mr. Scratch is definitely one of them, but the creators are still in the process of picking out the rest of the 12 unsubs according to Messer.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 is expected to premiere sometime in the Fall on CBS.