'Criminal Minds' Season 11 Spoilers: First Look At JJ's Baby Unveiled [VIDEO]
The first look at J.J.'s (A.J. Cook) baby in season 11 of Criminal Minds was exclusively unveiled by TVGuide.
J.J. is seen holding on to the infant, only his angelic head is visible in the pictures. What's exciting is that the baby is Cook's own. The actress is going to missing in the first couple episodes on account of maternity leave but when she makes her appearance it will be with her newborn, Phoenix. In the show, J.J.'s baby will be called Michael.
Showrunner Erica Messer talked about their youngest cast member in an interview with TVGuide. "You'll get to meet A.J.'s real little baby, Phoenix. Like what she did with Mekhai [playing JJ's first son Henry], she's having her actual child play JJ's child," Messer said. "His name is Michael. Henry and Michael. Her whole family will be TV stars."
Could Ella Greenaway Return For Season 11?
A recent Entertaiment Weekly piece put up a list of things they wished to see happen in season 11 of the CBS procedural. When the question of somone dying in this chapter came up, the entertainment website suggested J.J. might make for a good candidate. The report speculates that season 11 would be apt for Cook to exit as she is going to be a new mother. The actress will actually be missing the first few episodes of the show on account of her pregnancy and delivery. Secondly, it is being speculated that Jennifer Love Hewitt, who played Kate Callahan in season 10 will be returning for season 12. According to EW, this might soften the blow of J.J.'s exit.
In fact in a previous interview Criminal Minds Messer suggested that new actress Aisha Tyler, was also meant to fill in for Cook's absence in the first few episodes. What if Tyler's role snowballs into a more substantial one and is being firmed up to take Cook's place in the long run.
"We'd love to have her come play as often as possible, because she's amazing and she fit right in with the cast," Messser said of Tyler.
Season 11 will premiere on Sept. 30 on CBS.
Watch the promo for the finale of season 11: