'Criminal Minds': Paget Brewster Leaving CBS Drama

Paget Brewster is leaving "Criminal Minds." According to EW, Brewster, who joined the cast in Season 2, will exit the hit CBS drama after this year.

"Please know it was a hard choice," Brewster said on Twitter. "I love everyone at CM and the fans! I just couldn't ignore my gut feeling. It's time for something new."

Brewster and fellow "Criminal Minds" actress A.J. Cook were involved in a controversial cast shake-up in which Cook was axed from the show and Brewster's episode count was reduced. Her character, Emily Prentiss, eventually left the team, faking her own death with the help of Cook's Jennifer "JJ" Jareau.

However, after an outcry from fans, both Brewster and Cook returned to "Criminal Minds" as full-time cast members for Season 7. During her limbo period, Brewster joined the cast of an NBC comedy pilot.

According to EW, Brewster and co-star Matthew Gray Gubler were in talks to extend their contracts for Season 8. When Cook returned as a series regular in Season 7, she signed a two-year contract.

CBS has yet to order an eighth season of "Criminal Minds" and so far, there is no word on Gubler's status with the show.

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Comments

[Serena 58]

10:17 PM on 05/17/2012

Many stars leave their weekly series for greener pastures. I hope it works for her. Many times it doesn't. I wish her the best.

[jJennaeh314]

02:23 PM on 03/01/2012

I hope Matthew doesn't leave the show. He's one of the reasons why I watch it. And I'm sad that Paget is leaving. Emily is one of my favorite characters next to Reid and Garcia. But I wish her the best in her life.

[Ianto456]

03:15 AM on 03/22/2012

I was going to comment. However, I think you've said it all. ;D

[unknown369]

10:27 AM on 02/21/2012

I hope that really smart guy doesn't leave! He's cool too!

[HBsurfergirl]

11:29 AM on 02/20/2012

i loved the show, but didn't watch much of them cause of Paget, Seems her character just rubbed me wrong. Good luck to her elsewhere, but now I will watch the show faithfully.

[unknown369]

10:14 PM on 02/18/2012

I love that show! Only thing that i don't like is the really creepy bad people who do weird things. I'll miss her. She was pretty cool. I hope she finds bigger and better things.

[Mattie]

02:28 PM on 02/19/2012

I really enjoy the show too, it's one of the few things my husband and I actually both enjoy. We record Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Walking Dead, and Big Bang and watch them all on Saturday night. I know our life is really exciting. Actually after 30 years of marriage, quiet Saturday nights are a blessing!

[iLdoRight]

11:41 PM on 02/17/2012

Which one is "Paget", I like the show because they catch some of the bad people, I hate the show because some of the bad people are REALLY BAD, but I don't know anybody's names on the show.

[Lechiffre]

03:05 PM on 02/20/2012

the show is already in its 7th season ????? how the hell.... I mean when... I tuned in recently think I was on season 2

[jJennaeh314]

02:18 PM on 03/01/2012

She's Emily, the dark haired female on the team

[iLdoRight]

05:08 PM on 03/01/2012

OK, Thanks.

[Adonijah]

11:29 AM on 02/17/2012

All good things must come to an end. I wish her well in her future endeavors/pursuits.

[lawa]

09:38 PM on 02/16/2012

nah paget im afan of cm and have enjoyed your performances. you have a range of talents. i hope you the best.

[kappaangel]

08:43 PM on 02/16/2012

"Criminal Minds" has become one of my favorite TV shows. I missed the first few seasons because I am not a constant television watcher, but I am now a fan. The show is well written and well acted. I particularly like Moore and Gubler. They play their parts extremely well.

[Mattie]

02:29 PM on 02/19/2012

You can catch up on Criminal Minds reruns on A&E, they run it constantly. I like all the characters, and am sorry she is leaving.

[scorpian777]

07:57 PM on 02/16/2012

I hope Shemar does not leave I enjoy his inter action with ( sorry ) I forget her name she at the computer on show!!! I'm also happy that A J Cook is back!!!

[ridnggirl]

07:50 PM on 02/16/2012

Too bad.......really like the current cast...hope no one else leaves.

[Steve Cardi]

07:37 PM on 02/16/2012

Well, maybe then they'll bring back Elle Greenwald.

[Mattie]

02:29 PM on 02/19/2012

she was the one character I didn't like! Hope not!

[Josh Budde]

05:43 PM on 02/24/2012

That's unlikely because she left to move back to the East Coast. She didn't like Los Angeles.

[emberbb]

06:51 PM on 02/16/2012

It's a great show, so enjoy who goes/stays.

[Ketielynn]

06:48 PM on 02/16/2012

I didn't really care when she (Prentice) left the first time but I am glad JJ is back (I missed her), I hope she stays this time.

[crelic]

05:53 PM on 02/16/2012

Just another show that solves a murder on the same day it was committed....is there anything further from the truth on TV?

[Huah]

06:07 PM on 02/16/2012

Actually we, the audience, are supposed to imagine the passage of days or weeks, while the cops/Feds are working on a number of other cases or running down other clues, off camera. Use of dramatic license!

[lawa]

09:43 PM on 02/16/2012

yes great mysterys suspend belief for a short time. i am a fan of cm. agatha christie stories are great at that. alfred hitchcock is a master of mystery. huah,
we as an audience member should put our minds in the hands of the production and be entertained.

[scorpian777]

07:58 PM on 02/16/2012

One has to assume that time goes by I think!! if not so what it's a TV show after all

[Adonijah]

11:08 AM on 02/17/2012

...agree