"Criminal Minds" has remained mostly steady in the ratings this past year, but it could get a boost next season if producers can work out a deal with A.J. Cook.

Cook, who played J.J. Jareau in the series, left the show last season when CBS decided not to renew her contract. That didn't go over well with fans, who were not quieted much by her resurfacing to this season to wrap up her character (and moving her to the Pentagon).

The network was listening, however, and are looking to bring Cook back full-time. She'll join Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore and Matthew Gray Gubler on the show that is sitting comfortably at No. 9 in the television ratings charts.

The change in actors will come about the same time there is a change at the top. Erica Messer, who has been a part of the show as an executive producer since the beginning, is set to become the lone showrunner for "Criminal Minds," according to TV Line.

Ed Bernero, the showrunner since the beginning, will depart after this season. CBS didn't give a reason.

Cook, who starred in other shows like "Higher Ground" and "Tru Calling," made a guest appearance in the NBC show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" during her hiatus, as well as the television movie "Bringing Ashley Home."

Her "SVU" episode "Mask" earned a 5.5 rating/9 share on Jan. 12, according to Fast National overnight ratings from The Nielsen Co. That beat the final Wednesday airing of "The Defenders" on CBS as well as the series premiere of "Off the Map" on ABC, which managed a series high 5.0/8.

"Criminal Minds" is averaging an 8.2/13, and is CBS' sixth most-watched program behind "NCIS," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "The Mentalist," "Two and a Half Men" and "CSI."

It airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.