In just a few days, fans of "Criminal Minds" would soon see the return of the BAU, minus two of its members. While the core team of Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), Dave Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) are intact and raring to get at the criminals, Jennifer Jareau (A.J. Cook) and Kate Callahan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) are on maternity leave. But while JJ is expected to be back mid-season, Hotch has to make a decision on who will replace Kate.

At this point in time, every "Criminal Minds" fan knows that Aisha Tyler is set to join the BAU as forensic psychologist Dr. Tara Lewis. Despite her fledgling status, she will reportedly be an asset in capturing a murderer in episode one. The premiere episode will revolve around an unsub who reportedly paints his victims' faces.

Fans of police procedurals will see two familiar faces in episode two of "Criminal Minds." The episode, titled "The Witness," will see "NCIS" actress, Marisol Nichols and Tim Kang of "The Mentalist" helping the BAU.

Nichols will reportedly play FBI agent Natalie Colfax while Kang is Charlie Senerak, a medical supply worker who will play a crucial role in the capture of the episode's villain. While details about the episode are scant, a behind-the-scenes photo still posted on the show's Twitter page several months ago showed a sinister figure with a black and white painted face.

While the team will try to adjust to having another new member in their team, there have been reports that another BAU stalwart will be leaving the show. Gubler revealed the surprising news in one interview where he also mentioned that he's directing the "special episode" that would bid farewell to that character. No one has any inkling yet on who among the BAU will be saying goodbye but fans are thinking it's either JJ or Rossi, the former because of her growing family and the latter because among the characters, he's the closest to retirement so that would be an easy-to-explain story arc.

Fans would have to stay tuned to "Criminal Minds" season 11 when it returns on Sept. 30.