[4] Showrunner Erica Messer expressed her desire about bringing back old characters from previous seasons, including Spencer Reid's mother played by Jane Lynch.

[5] Cook appeared in the first episode "The Job" holding her sleeping baby Michael, played by Phoenix Andersen, her child in real life.

Messer said she felt it was time for another cliffhanger and thought that it served as a "really fun launch pad" into the twelfth season, which was officially ordered two days later.

"[4] Aisha Tyler joined the cast in the wake of Hewitt's exit, and played a recurring role as Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist who always wanted to study psychopaths up close, to understand the human being behind the evil acts.

[12] It was announced on August 5, 2015, that an alum from Glee, Ashley Fink, would guest star in the third episode of the season, "'Til Death Do Us Part".

Amber Stevens returned as Rossi's daughter, Joy Struthers, in episode seven, "Target Rich".

[15] On February 10, 2016, CBS announced that actor Paget Brewster would guest star in one episode in the latter part of the season, reprising her role as Emily Prentiss.