"The only part that gets a little confusing is that you end up being like, 'OK. This one is about the guy who kills them with ferrets, and this one is about ...' And then you kind of go to one, and you are, like, 'Oh, shoot. This is ferret. That's crazy evil clown who is beating the mom.' That's the worst part," Vangsness says during an interview on the set of the new series.
In case you aren't a fan of Criminal Minds, the CBS shows follow FBI agents who profile the most vicious killers. Garcia's the computer wiz for both teams.
Executive producer Ed Bernero says if the Criminal Minds agents are the Knights of the Round Table, then Garcia's Merlin.
Vangsness had only minor acting roles before being cast as the fashionable geek on Criminal Minds. She remains grateful to the producers for giving her a chance to pursue the career she loves, and now feels doubly blessed.
Along with that excitement comes pressure, because Vangsness knows she's the conduit between the shows. She's had six seasons to create a bond with the original Criminal Minds cast, including flirtations with the hunky FBI agent played by Shemar Moore.
The new cast includes Forest Whitaker, Beau Garrett, Matt Ryan, Michael Kelly and Janeane Garofalo.
Don't look for Garcia to start flirting with agents on her new show - at least for now.
"The writers told me it would be weird to have Garcia come in and start working with these new people and all of a sudden be, like, so familiar to [say] 'Hey, baby cakes.' That would be weird. I think she's a little more formal, a little more, 'just the facts, ma'am' kind of a thing," Vangsness says.
Not likely to change are Garcia's bold fashion choices that aren't that different to the way Vangsness dresses. The actress worked closely with the writers in developing Garcia and so she's very concerned when changes are made.
Briefly in this season of Criminal Minds, Garcia toned down her look.
It didn't last.
Vangsness has free rein to change Garcia's look, traditionally a no-no with a TV character.
"I think what makes her a superhero is that unlike Kirsten, when Penelope dyes her hair, it doesn't go through extensive damage and breakage. Penelope just looks awesome because I have a team that makes it look great," Vangsness says.
Vangsness now has two series but it wasn't that long ago she was taking any job just to pay the bills. She spent 10 years working as a substitute teacher, at a murder mystery dinner theatre, at a book store, at Victoria's Secret, for the United Way and as a grant writer while waiting for her big break.
