Exclusive: Criminal Minds "Cooks" Up a Surprise Return

• Dec 9, 2008 03:10 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

A.J. Cook on next week's Criminal Minds

Literally, it was just a pregnant pause.

CBS' Criminal Minds recently wrote out expectant J.J. Jareau to accommodate the real-life childbirth and maternity leave of cast member A.J. Cook. All along, exec producer Ed Bernero told me that the plan was for Cook to return to work at her leisure, but ideally in time for midseason.

Well, surprise, surprise — A.J. will resurface no later than next week, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively, when J.J., pays the BAU a visit with her own newborn in tow.

The ever-plucky Cook taped the special scene not very long after giving birth to her son, Mekhai Allan Andersen, on Sept. 13, and looked "absolutely fabulous" as a new mom, sources tell me.

Following the Dec. 17 episode, Cook's pregnant pause will resume as she (and A.J.) enjoy a proper maternity leave. They will return to the fold full-time starting with Episode 14, which should air sometime in February.