The Norah O’Donnell CBS Mornings return is officially set for September 8, 2026, when she will join Gayle King and Nate Burleson as a co-host. O’Donnell previously co-hosted the program with King before moving to CBS Evening News in 2019. Meanwhile, Wayne Brady and Selma Blair are set to guest-star in Episode 8 of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20, although their roles have not yet been disclosed.
Introduction
The latest television casting roundup brings several notable changes across broadcast and streaming, led by the Norah O’Donnell CBS Mornings return. CBS News confirmed on September 3, 2026, that the veteran journalist will return to the morning program as co-host beginning September 8, joining Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
O’Donnell’s return comes more than seven years after she left the morning program to become anchor of CBS Evening News. She will now step back into a role she previously held alongside King, creating a reunion that CBS is positioning as a major addition to its morning-news lineup.
The same casting roundup also includes two recognizable performers joining Criminal Minds: Evolution. Wayne Brady and Selma Blair are scheduled to appear as guest stars in the eighth episode of Season 20, according to Deadline’s reporting cited by TVLine. Their character details remain undisclosed.
Other developments include new additions to Days of Our Lives and General Hospital, while Saturday Night Live UK has named Jeff Goldblum as host of its second-season premiere.
What Happened?
Norah O’Donnell is returning to CBS Mornings
The biggest announcement is O’Donnell’s return to CBS Mornings.
CBS News confirmed that O’Donnell will join Gayle King and Nate Burleson at the anchor desk starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
O’Donnell previously co-hosted the program, then known as CBS This Morning, from 2012 through 2019. She left the morning broadcast when CBS moved her into the network’s evening-news chair.
Her return represents a significant change in her CBS role. Following her departure from CBS Evening News, O’Donnell continued working with CBS News as a senior correspondent and 60 Minutes contributor. She has also hosted the women’s health podcast Healthful.
CBS Mornings senior producer Jon Tower described the move internally as a “homecoming” and highlighted O’Donnell’s previous professional relationship with King.
The network’s current lineup will therefore feature:
- Gayle King
- Nate Burleson
- Norah O’Donnell
O’Donnell’s first appearance in the permanent role is scheduled for September 8.
Why Is Norah O’Donnell Returning to CBS Mornings?
CBS has not described the move as simply a personnel replacement. The network is also looking to strengthen the program’s journalism and live-news presence.
O’Donnell brings extensive experience covering national politics, the White House and major breaking-news stories. Her work with 60 Minutes has kept her closely connected to major national and international reporting even after her departure from the evening-news anchor position.
Her return also comes as CBS News prepares for increased political coverage ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.
The move fills the position previously occupied by Tony Dokoupil, who moved to the evening-news role earlier in the year.
For CBS, the combination of O’Donnell’s reporting background with King’s interviewing experience and Burleson’s broader cultural and sports background gives the network a three-person anchor team with different areas of expertise.
Key Details
The major developments in the casting roundup include:
- Norah O’Donnell returns to CBS Mornings on September 8.
- She will co-host alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
- O’Donnell previously co-hosted the morning program from 2012 to 2019.
- Wayne Brady and Selma Blair will guest-star in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20.
- Brady and Blair are expected to appear together in Episode 8.
- Their Criminal Minds character details have not been announced.
- Days of Our Lives has cast Sydney Malakeh and Franco LoPresti in new roles.
- General Hospital has added Alimi Ballard as William Baines.
- Jeff Goldblum will host the Season 2 premiere of Saturday Night Live UK.
Wayne Brady and Selma Blair Join Criminal Minds: Evolution
The second major casting story involves Criminal Minds: Evolution.
Wayne Brady and Selma Blair are both set to guest-star in the show’s 20th season, with their appearances scheduled for Episode 8. Deadline first reported the casting, and TVLine included the news in its September 3 casting roundup.
The production is currently keeping the actors’ roles under wraps.
That means viewers know that Brady and Blair will appear, but there is currently no confirmed public information identifying their characters or explaining how they fit into the episode’s story.
The episode itself involves the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit investigating a series of murders in Los Angeles involving people connected to the skincare industry. The case reportedly features an unusual method involving a chemically altered spa treatment.
That premise places the guest appearances within one of the show’s traditional crime-investigation formats, although the exact relationship between Brady and Blair’s characters and the case has not been revealed.
Background on Criminal Minds Season 20
Criminal Minds: Evolution was officially renewed for a milestone 20th season by Paramount+ in March 2026. The streaming service announced that the new season would premiere in 2027, although an exact release date has not yet been announced.
The series continues the story of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, with returning stars including Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Aisha Tyler and Adam Rodriguez.
The addition of Brady and Blair gives the upcoming season another pair of recognizable guest performers.
For Brady, the appearance adds another scripted television credit to a career that has included acting, hosting, comedy and musical performance.
Blair is known for films and television work including Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and the Hellboy franchise.
Interestingly, Brady and Blair previously appeared together as contestants on Season 31 of Dancing with the Stars. Their reunion on Criminal Minds: Evolution will therefore bring the two performers back together in a very different setting.
Other TV Casting News
The roundup extends beyond CBS and Criminal Minds.
Days of Our Lives
Peacock’s long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives has added Sydney Malakeh and Franco LoPresti.
Malakeh will play Sydney DiMera, the daughter of Sami Brady and EJ DiMera. Her first appearance is scheduled for September 9.
LoPresti, known for Heated Rivalry, will play Dante and is scheduled to debut on September 14.
The casting continues the show’s tradition of introducing new faces while expanding established family storylines.
General Hospital
ABC’s General Hospital has cast Alimi Ballard in the newly created role of William Baines.
Ballard’s television credits include Numb3rs, and his first General Hospital episode is scheduled for September 3, according to TV Insider’s reporting cited by TVLine.
Because the role is newly created, additional details about William Baines’ storyline are expected to emerge as the character appears on the soap.
Saturday Night Live UK
The British edition of Saturday Night Live has also announced a notable host for its second season.
Jeff Goldblum will host the Season 2 opener, with CMAT serving as musical guest.
The episode is scheduled to air in the UK on Saturday, September 12, before streaming on Peacock in the United States on Sunday, September 13.
Goldblum’s selection gives the season opener a recognizable Hollywood presence while CMAT brings a different musical profile to the episode.
What Officials and Organizations Said
CBS News confirmed O’Donnell’s return and published the announcement on September 3.
CBS Mornings senior producer Jon Tower told staff that O’Donnell’s return was a “homecoming” and emphasized the longstanding professional relationship between O’Donnell and King. He also praised the combination of King, Burleson and O’Donnell as the new anchor team.
O’Donnell herself expressed enthusiasm about joining the program again, describing the opportunity as a new chapter with familiar colleagues.
Paramount+ has separately confirmed that Criminal Minds: Evolution has been renewed for Season 20 and that the season is scheduled for 2027. However, the streaming service has not yet announced an exact premiere date or publicly revealed Brady and Blair’s characters.
Why This Matters
The Norah O’Donnell CBS Mornings return is significant because it brings an experienced national-news correspondent back to a major daily broadcast at a time when CBS is attempting to strengthen its morning-news offering.
O’Donnell’s career gives her particular value during periods of heavy political and national-news coverage. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, CBS can use her experience in political reporting while maintaining the broader format built around King and Burleson.
For viewers, the biggest immediate change is straightforward: O’Donnell will once again share the morning desk with King after their earlier run together.
Meanwhile, Criminal Minds: Evolution is continuing to expand its guest-star roster as it moves toward its milestone 20th season. Brady and Blair’s casting is especially notable because the production is keeping their roles secret, creating interest without revealing major story details.
What Happens Next?
The first confirmed next step for CBS Mornings is O’Donnell’s debut on September 8, 2026. Viewers will then see the new three-anchor format of O’Donnell, King and Burleson in action.
For Criminal Minds: Evolution, Season 20 remains scheduled for 2027. Production is underway, and Brady and Blair are expected to appear in Episode 8. A specific premiere date and their character details have not yet been announced.
Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and Saturday Night Live UK have more immediate developments, with the newly announced performers appearing in their respective programs during September.
As additional information becomes available, the networks and streaming platforms are expected to provide more details about the characters, storylines and episode schedules.
Conclusion
The latest television casting news is led by a major return to morning television. Norah O’Donnell is officially coming back to CBS Mornings on September 8, reuniting with Gayle King and joining Nate Burleson at the anchor desk.
At the same time, Criminal Minds: Evolution is adding Wayne Brady and Selma Blair for its 20th season, although the mystery surrounding their roles remains intact.
The broader casting roundup also gives viewers new faces to watch on Days of Our Lives and General Hospital, while Jeff Goldblum prepares to host the second-season opener of Saturday Night Live UK.
For CBS, O’Donnell’s return is the most consequential change, potentially giving CBS Mornings a familiar face with extensive national-news experience as the network heads toward an important election year.
FAQs
When is Norah O’Donnell returning to CBS Mornings?
Norah O’Donnell will return to CBS Mornings on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. She will co-host the program alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
Why is Norah O’Donnell returning to CBS Mornings?
CBS has brought O’Donnell back to the morning program after her years as an evening-news anchor and senior correspondent. Her return reunites her with Gayle King and adds her extensive national-news and political reporting experience to the morning lineup.
Who are the CBS Mornings anchors now?
The announced anchor lineup is Gayle King, Nate Burleson and Norah O’Donnell. O’Donnell officially joins the program on September 8, 2026.
Are Wayne Brady and Selma Blair joining Criminal Minds?
Yes. Wayne Brady and Selma Blair are scheduled to guest-star in Season 20 of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Both are expected to appear in Episode 8, but their character details have not been publicly revealed.
When will Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20 premiere?
Paramount+ has confirmed that Season 20 will premiere in 2027, but an exact premiere date has not yet been announced.
What roles will Wayne Brady and Selma Blair play on Criminal Minds?
Their roles have not been announced. Current reporting confirms only that both actors will guest-star in Episode 8 of Season 20.
Who is joining Days of Our Lives?
Sydney Malakeh has been cast as Sydney DiMera, while Franco LoPresti will play Dante. Malakeh is scheduled to debut September 9, with LoPresti following on September 14.
Who is Jeff Goldblum hosting on Saturday Night Live UK?
Jeff Goldblum will host the Season 2 premiere of Saturday Night Live UK, with CMAT as the musical guest. The UK broadcast is scheduled for September 12, followed by a Peacock stream in the U.S. on September 13.
Sources
This article was researched and cross-checked using the following sources:
- CBS News — official confirmation of Norah O’Donnell’s return to CBS Mornings and details of the new anchor lineup.
- Paramount+ — official confirmation that Criminal Minds: Evolution has been renewed for Season 20 and is scheduled for 2027.
- TVLine — September 3, 2026 casting roundup covering O’Donnell, Criminal Minds, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and Saturday Night Live UK.
- Deadline reporting, republished by Yahoo — Wayne Brady and Selma Blair’s Season 20 casting and Episode 8 placement.
- TheWrap — additional reporting on O’Donnell’s return and the September 8 start date.
- The Independent / The Guardian — independent reporting on CBS’s morning-show changes and O’Donnell’s return.
Publication date: September 3, 2026.
Fact-check note: The article distinguishes confirmed casting announcements from information that has not yet been released, particularly the undisclosed roles of Wayne Brady and Selma Blair in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 20.
