Paget Brewster, who plays Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds, has opened up about her exit from the original show, reflecting on how she left and returned a few years later. Prentiss first joined the cast of Criminal Minds in season 2, a supervisory special agent for the BAU who later became their Unit Chief. She appeared as a regular on the show until season 7, after which she departed. Following a few guest appearances, she came back as a regular character once more in season 12, and is still on the team to this day.
Speaking with CBR about her time on the show, Brewster reflected on how she left the original Criminal Minds, and what made her decide to come back. The actor explained how, despite some complexities surrounding her decision to leave, she eventually returned because of how much viewers and herself enjoyed seeing her on the show. Check out what Brewster had to say below:
It’s longer than a decade, because I started on Criminal Minds in 2006… The fans love her so much, is why. When I was off the show, that was complicated and lousy, but I was off the show for four years, and I did other stuff. They kept asking me to come back, and I finally agreed to come back, because for those four years I was doing Community , Another Period , Grandfathered — but I’d go to the supermarket or be in the airport and fans would come up to me and say, why aren’t you on Criminal Minds anymore?
And after four years, I was like, God, why aren’t I on Criminal Minds ? And so I called them up and said, “Is there a way that you can use me as a guest star for a few episodes?” I didn’t want to upset the apple cart. The show was doing great. And then they ended up asking me to come back and join full time, and I was happy to. It’s really just been lucky for me.
How Emily Prentiss Became A Staple Of The Criminal Minds Team
Brewster’s time as Prentiss on Criminal Minds has involved plenty of stories with twists and turns throughout, including some with her at the center. In season 6, it was briefly believed she had been killed by Ian Doyle, before the scare was averted as she revealed she had survived. However, she still left for a job with Interpol in London during season 7, not returning fully until season 12, after Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) left the team. She’s been a key leader ever since, right through their current investigation in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2.
Because of her leadership skills, Prentiss has proven herself a key part of the team, becoming one of the more recognizable characters due to her lengthy history with the show. This makes her storylines throughout the series especially engaging, as her proven years of working with the BAU makes what she does feel like it has more experience behind it. When the show focuses on her, it employs a particular vision that highlights her skills and professionalism as a core member of the ever-rotating cast of characters.
Since Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 has already been confirmed, it appears Brewster’s time as Prentiss on the show is far from over. With the show morphing from a crime every week to an overarching storyline, she can continue to showcase her skills as a leader within the team, enhancing the series thanks to her presence. Without her return to Criminal Minds, the show wouldn’t be the same today, proving her importance within the overall team.