Paget Brewster says she was fired from Criminal Minds and later returned to the show

Paget Brewster, known for playing Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds, has spoken about being fired from the show and later returning.

In a recent podcast interview released on April 27, Brewster said she and co-star A.J. Cook were let go around season 6. She believes the decision may have come after former CBS executive Les Moonves watched the show again and decided to remove their characters. CBS has not publicly confirmed this claim.

Both actresses left the series in 2010. Cook returned as a main cast member in season 7, while Brewster came back briefly in season 6 and stayed through season 7 before leaving again in 2012. Brewster said she chose to leave at that time because she was upset about how things were handled.

She later admitted that holding onto anger for years was not healthy and eventually reconsidered her decision. Brewster returned to the show in 2016 during season 12.

Before coming back, Brewster said she pushed for higher pay, aiming to match what male co-stars were earning. She said her efforts helped other female cast members negotiate better salaries as well.

Criminal Minds originally ended in 2020 after 15 seasons but was revived in 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution. Brewster is part of the returning cast. The new season is set to premiere on May 28 on Paramount+.