'Criminal Minds' season 12 return date, news, plot spoilers: More drama to come when season returns

More drama will come upon the "Criminal Minds" cast when season 12 returns this February. Meanwhile, executive producer Erica Messer shared the difficult process of Thomas Gibson's exit as Aaron Hotchner.

When "Criminal Minds" season 12 returns, Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) will have a reset in his relationship "with his mom and her struggle," according to Messer in an interview with TV Line.

Spencer's mom, Diana Reid (Jane Lynch), will return in episode 11 titled "Surface Tension."

The synopsis posted on The Futon Critic reads: "When a bizarre hieroglyph found under a deceased homeless man's armpit is the same from previous casualties a few years ago, the BAU is called in to investigate. Also, Reid decides to take his mother out of a clinical study early to bring her home with him."

Aside from Reid, A.J. Cook, who plays JJ, previewed that the rest of the core members of "Criminal Minds" will have their own drama.

"We've got some very personal stuff happening to some very loved characters, so there will be mayhem within the fandom," Cook teased.

When it comes to her character, the actress added, "Something happens that really rocks her, indirectly. She has a hard time handling what happens."

Meanwhile, Messer shared the struggle she had with having to write an exit for Gibson after he had developed a conflict with writer/producer Virgil Williams.

The show's team of writers built up the story that Hotchner had to protect his son from Mr. Scratch, so he left the BAU and submitted themselves to the Witness Protection program.

Messer expressed that she was saddened by having to say goodbye to the character of Hotchner and that she realized that the show will never be the same again.

The showrunner also explained that she and Gubler created and directed the episode of Gibson's exit with "such love and care for the history of the show and that character," where they enabled Hotchner to continue to be the hero in the eyes of the team and to his son.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 returns on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 9:00 p.m. ET on CBS.