Criminal Minds, since the last decade and more, has captivated audiences with its skillfully crafted storylines, following the intense lives of criminal profilers and their pursuit of justice. However, the drama on-screen has occasionally been rivaled by equally intriguing controversies behind the scenes, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
None of this holds more true than in the case of A.J. Cook and her beloved character Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, who was suddenly written off the show. While fans were left reeling, even Cook had no idea it was coming.
Reason Why A.J. Cook Departed Criminal Minds After Season 5
A.J. Cook was a beloved part of Criminal Minds since the very start, but suddenly, her character was written off after season 5 of the show. Fans, who had grown deeply attached to her character, were left shocked. Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau wasn’t just a profiler on the team but evolved into a key player.
Often known for taking sensitive cases, her empathy, compassion, and ingenuity appealed to the viewers, making her an integral part of the show. Although she did end up coming back in season 6 to tie up a few loose ends and finish up her storyline, CBS was, nonetheless, heavily berated by fans.
Apparently, the reason why A.J. Cook had to leave Criminal Minds wasn’t because of any personal reason or creative decisions, but rather as a cost-cutting measure (via Cinema Blend). After her contract was up in season 5, CBS simply did not renew it due to financial reasons, which seems preposterous since JJ was one of the main draws of the show.
Even A.J. Cook Had No Idea About Her Departure
A.J. Cook was one of the original stars of Criminal Minds, so it was a shocker that her character was abruptly written off due to financial reasons. The decision was taken so abruptly that even Cook had no idea of her fate in the series. While fans did not want Cook to leave the show, she had no intentions of leaving either.
Following her exit, fans vehemently opposed her exit and revolted against CBS, demanding her character be brought back. Finally, the producers had to relent and JJ was brought back for season 7. After her return, in an interview with TV Guide Magazine, the actress stated,
I had no idea it was coming. None of us did. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt my feelings, but I chose to be me through the whole thing. And that’s lead me back to where I started, but in a completely different way.
While talking to TV Guide, Cook was also genuinely thankful of the fans and the way they supported her through the ordeal. The result of fans’ support was that not only was A.J. Cook cast back, but she remains part of the cast after the series was revived as Criminal Minds: Evolution.