'Modern Family' casts 'Criminal Minds' actress in guest role

It looks like Sofia Vergara is going to have a rival on ABC's "Modern Family."

Producers have confirmed that "Criminal Minds" veteran Paget Brewster has taken a prime guest spot on the hit ABC comedy series. After departing the CBS drama last season, Brewster has been hoping to find a meaty comedy role to sink her teeth into. "After six wonderful years playing Emily Prentiss, I have decided it's time for me to move on," she said in a statement to Deadline. "As much as I will miss my 'Criminal Minds' family, I am excited about the future and other opportunities," she said after leaving the series.

The guest role will see Brewster debut as the new squeeze for Gloria's ex-husband Javier, played by Benjamin Bratt. His new girlfriend Trish is reportedly the exact opposite of Gloria -- bookish and super-sophisticated in contrast to Gloria's fiery loudmouth.

Throughout her time on the crime procedural series I thought Brewster was somewhat wasted. As decent as she was in the drama, she was a far more talented comedic actress than she's ever been given credit for. Some viewers might remember her as Joey's girlfriend on "Friends" whom Chandler had a huge crush on, or perhaps on Andy Richter's short-lived but much-loved (by me) "Andy Richter Controls The Universe." Hopefully her guest-role on the always solid "Modern Family" will put her on some comedy producers' radars.