For ten years, "Criminal Minds" has been known to explore on week-to-week cases by giving its audience an hour-long crime investigation. As the series embarks on its eleventh season this fall, fans should expect a shift in the show’s direction. The crime procedural will now move forward with a serialized format, according to showrunner Erica Messer.
Messer told TV Line that she believes that long-time followers of the BAU are now prepared to watch a “much more serialized” season. She also previewed that the eleventh run will open with the team investigating the “The Dirty Dozen”, a group of hit men that will be a challenge for Agent Hotch and Co. to investigate. The aforementioned case will be an overarching arc “that really won’t culminate until the end of the season,” the executive producer shared.
Series star Matthew Gray Gubler offered a tease about the upcoming storyline, describing the arc as “crazy”. The actor also added that, "it's exciting, spooky, team members might be in peril.”
While viewers are introduced to the Dirty Dozen, the BAU will divide their resources to hunt a new unsub. According to the episode description released by CBS via The Futon Critic, “The BAU searches for a serial killer who leaves distinctive marks on victims' faces.” Guest star Aisha Tyler (The Talk/Madam Secretary) will make her debut as Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist who helps the team solve their first case.
Also on tap to guest star in season 11 are Teen Wolf’s Marisol Nichols and The Mentalist’ Tim Kang. Both actors will appear in episode two of the current season titled “The Witness”. According to Latin Post, “Nichols will play a FBI agent who helps the BAU in preventing a vast attack on Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Kang will play a medical supply worker,” the site wrote.
Criminal Minds will shift into a more serialized format on its forthcoming eleventh season. Executive producer Erica Messer has revealed that viewers will be introduced to “The Dirty Dozen”, a network of hitmen on its first hour. The case will be a challenge for the team and is expected to culminate until the finale. Season 11 will also feature guest stars including Tim Kang, Aisha Tyler and Marisol Nichols.
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