Criminal Minds
(From L-R) Cast members Thomas Gibson, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster and Shemar Moore pose after accepting the Favorite Drama Ensemble award for "Criminal Minds" during the 14th Annual Diversity Awards in Century City, California, November 19, 2006. The gala celebrated diversity, creativity and talent while raising funds for the Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA). Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The mid-season premiere episode of “Criminal Minds” is scheduled to air on Jan. 13, and the episode features Aubrey Plaza as Dr Spencer Reid's (Matthew Gray Gubler) date.

Dr Reid is a socially awkward but extremely intelligent officer, who is part of the Behaviour Analysis Unit (BAU). In the upcoming episode of "Criminal Minds," he is set to face imminent danger, as his date pulls out a gun before the main course.

According to TV Line, Plaza is playing the character of Cat Adams, Ried’s date who will challenge him to think on his feet and save himself even as she points a gun at him.

Plaza, who is best known for her role as April Ludgate on “Parks and Recreation," will be a first timer on the show. After appearing in supporting roles in several films, Plaza had her first leading role in the 2012 comedy “Safety Not Guaranteed."

Plaza, apart from being a comedian, is also a member of the Los Angeles-based basketball team the Pistol Shrimps, alongside actresses Molly Hawkey and Angela Trimbur. It will be a change to watch her portray a felon in “Criminal Minds.”

The mid-season finale saw the BAU investigate the twin murder, and they found out that the un-sub is a medical experimentation enthusiast. They tracked him just as he was set to commit another murder under the guise of helping.

Meanwhile, Gracia (Kirsten Vangsness), who wants to get out of witness protection, is told by Hotch (Thomas Gibson) that the team has come across a major breakthrough in “The Dirty Dozen” case, giving her and the audience hope.

The show returns on Jan. 13 in the U.S. with Episode 11 titled “Entropy.”

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