Jennifer Love Hewitt, who is the newest addition to Criminal Minds as Kate Callahan, has been some heat from fans who are considering her to be a replacement for Page Brewster. But recently Joe Mantegna came to the actresses' rescue via Facebook, asking the haters to back off.

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Mantegna, who portrays David Rossi on the CBS procedural, wrote up a small bit on FB to stop the speculation for once and for all, and clarify that Hewitt hadn't joined to fill Emily Prentiss's (Brewster) shoes.

"If you want to know if Prentiss is returning, watch the beginning of episode one of this season. If you want to know why, watch the beginning of episode one this season. JLH is not her replacement, she is a completely different character that was introduced because of Blake's departure at the end of last season."

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Mantegna has been a guardian angel to Hewitt on the show, and their newly-found friendship seems to have blossomed beautifully on the set.

A cute picture of Mantegna and Hewitt on the set while filming episode 9, season 10 of Criminal Minds was recently revealed.

Mantegna, who plays David Rossi, and Hewitt, who portrays new addition to the BAU, Kate Callahan, are seen locked in a warm hug, with beaming smiles on their faces. The image was posted by the set_report Twitter account of the show.

In an interview earlier this month, Hewitt stated that Rossi and Callahan would share a "sweet connection" on the show.

The actress spoke to Entertainment Weekly about joining the show, her character, and her dynamic with other actors on the CBS procedural. When asked about Callahan and Rossi being paired together the actress dished about how the duo work really well together, and that she would also be getting along with Hotch (Thomas Gibson). 

"In the beginning, Rossi is who she's with the most. I'd say Rossi and Hotch (Thomas Gibson) really are the people she's with. I always say she's like the Barney Fife to Hotch's Andy," she said. "She gets really excited to go where he tells her to and be at his side in that way. She and Rossi have a really sweet connection. They have a lot of respect for each other and really enjoy working side by side. I've gotten to do a little bit of stuff with Morgan (Shemar Moore) recently, which has been fun. I obviously work with everybody, but those three characters in particular seem to be where I am. Hotch and Rossi are the first two to know Kate's background story, so they're very kind to her and supportive of her own personal life story."

Season 10 premiered on CBS on October 1.

The next episode of Criminal Minds will air on October 22.

Watch the preview here:

Tags: Criminal Minds CBS television