Look, When a show starts, it is signed up for one season only. All the shows are like that.
Now, the writers must already have planned who was red john was in the first season itself, as they couldn't be sure if the show would get more seasons.
So my theory is that, there's a high probability that Red John was present(and possibly shown) in the first season. It could be anyone like Dr. Linus Wagner or Brett Patridge.
Thoughts?
Did you ever tought that Red John has never been seen in the series?
Maybe they did not show him to us, just because they may change they enging of the story how they think.
Think about it.
I think Red John is Brett Stiles because:
-He is powerful because he is the leader of visualize
-The cult is brainwashed and afraid of him so he can get people to do what he wants.
-We know Red John drinks tea{1x23 & 4x13} and also Bret Stiles does{3x03}
-Bret Stiles shows interest in Jane and Red John
-He gave the location of Kristinna which led to nothing
-He is smart enought to be Red John as we have seen many times
-After Jane talks to Bret Stiles in 3x03 staright away we meet O'Lauglin who was a proven accomplice of Red John.I think that Bret Stiles sent O'Lauglin to spy on the investigation
-Bret Stiles has already killed and got away with it.
-In 3x03 we see Bret Stiles arrive in a limo which is Red Johns favourite choice of car
-Jane has even called him Red John
Red John (not me.... or is it?) is Brett Stiles and i know this because Brett is the only person that knows secret information about Patrick Jane which noone else knows, this implies that Brett Stiles has studied Jane or been in his house and the only time that Brett could be in Janes house would be to kill his wife and child. Brett Stiles is also a very powerful man meaning that he has the money so that he can cover his tracks by framing other people.
just my opinion
Gary O'Donnell, CHP Peace Officer guard that Jane tried to hypnotize with a Quarter in "Redacted", but it didn't work.
He shook his hand and acted just like Jane in his manerisms when they interacted in the hallway.
When van pelt comes to Kristina fryers bedroom door is it chi Ron that is guarding the door. Thus he could slip her out to with an accomplice.