Along with NCIS, Criminal Minds is one of the longest-running crime series on television. After 15 years, it was over in 2020, at least for now. Because with the revival Criminal Minds: Evolution a 16th season started. There is also one in there Reunion with Emily Prentiss, played by Paget Brewster. The series and the actress share a difficult past. For years, Brewster wasn’t part of the cast.
Padget Brewster on Criminal Minds exit: “One of the most hurtful things that has ever happened to me”
From season 2 onwards, Paget Brewster was part of the Criminal Minds cast as Special Agent Emily Prentiss. In 2010, it was announced that she would not be returning for season 6. The official reason given at the time was budget cuts. But Brewster revealed completely different things, Sexist motives on the part of a CBS employee. In a 2015 interview with AV Club, she explained the situation this way:
[Jemand von CBS] has [Produzent] Called Edward Allen Bernero and said: ‘I want new women.’
CBS
Paget Brewster in Criminal Minds
After the involuntary departure of Brewster and colleague AJ Cook was announced, fan resistance arose and petitions were published. The station rowed back in parts and offered more episodes. In the interview she describes her emotional state:
I was so happy there. I loved everyone there and it was comfortable one of the most hurtful things that has ever happened, being fired because they wanted ‘new women’. Brewster returned for a short time, but after season 7 in 2012 it was over. However, four years later, everything changed. Hotchner actor Thomas Gibson was fired after arguments on set. So the producers turned back to Paget Brewsterto bring some stability to the troubled series with the familiar face, as Variety reported at the time. Since the 12th season she has been part of the permanent cast of Criminal Minds and she also returned for the revival Criminal Minds: Evolution. Criminal Minds Evolution is shown on Sat.1
Criminal Minds: Evolution is essentially the 16th season of the crime series. Sat.1 shows the new episodes in a double pack every Tuesday from 8:15 p.m. Episode 3 (Murder Suitcase) and Episode 4 (Repressed Moments) will be shown today, January 16th. The repeat will be broadcast on Wednesday night from 12:15 a.m.
If you don’t want to wait that long, you can stream Evolution on Disney+ (as season 16) and with a season pass on Amazon and other providers.