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Paget Brewster Recalls Shocking Criminal Minds Exit
28 Apr
Summary
- Paget Brewster was fired from Criminal Minds in season six or seven.
- An ousted CBS president allegedly ordered her removal.
- Brewster fought for equal pay before returning full-time.
Paget Brewster, known for her role as Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds, shared details of her surprising dismissal from the show during its sixth or seventh season. Brewster alleged that Les Moonves, the former president of CBS, was responsible for her and A.J. Cook's departures, reportedly after he saw the show for the first time in years and disliked the female characters.
After being fired, Brewster's agent successfully negotiated her return for several episodes in season six. Although invited back full-time, she initially declined, feeling angry at the network. However, she eventually moved past this anger and returned to Criminal Minds in season twelve, following Thomas Gibson's exit.
Before her return in season twelve, Brewster insisted on negotiating for equal pay, successfully raising her episodic fee and encouraging other female cast members to seek significant raises. Brewster continues to star in the Criminal Minds universe, having returned for the 2022 revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution.
