Full Breakdown
Paget Brewster’s Firing, Return, and Fight on ‘Criminal Minds’
4/29/2026, 6:18:31 AM
Firing and Immediate Aftermath
On April 27, 2026, Paget Brewster told Kristin Davis’s “Are You a Charlotte?” podcast that she and A.J. Cook were dismissed after CBS president Les Moonves watched a backdoor pilot. Brewster recalled Moonves allegedly said, “Oh, I don’t like those women. Get rid of those women,” prompting their termination. She placed the event in “season six or seven,” while another source cites a post-season 5 firing.
Background: Backdoor Pilot and Network Leadership
*Criminal Minds* debuted in 2005. A 2010-2011 backdoor pilot aimed at a spin-off was reviewed by Les Moonves, who later resigned in 2018 amid sexual-harassment allegations. He reportedly intervened, leading to Brewster’s and Cook’s removal. Both later returned; Cook became a main cast member in season 7, while Brewster appeared intermittently before a final exit after season 7.
Timeline of Brewster’s Tenure
- 2005 – Series debut.
- 2010 – Brewster and Cook exit after season 5 (one account).
- 2012 – Brewster leaves permanently after season 7.
- 2016 – Returns in season 12 after Thomas Gibson’s dismissal.
- 2026 – Season 19 premieres on Paramount+ (May 28).
Official Statements & Responses
Brewster said she “held onto that anger for too long” and used her leverage to negotiate a higher episodic fee, seeking parity with male colleagues. She described the process as “having them over a barrel” and succeeded, after which other female cast members obtained comparable raises.
Criticism of Network Decisions
Brewster called Moonves’s intervention gender-biased, citing his alleged comment about disliking women on the show. She expressed that she would not have to encounter him again, emphasizing his lack of concern for the series and underscoring perceived inequities in CBS’s treatment of female talent.
Impact on Pay Equity and Fan Reception
Brewster’s pay negotiation provided a concrete example in Hollywood debates on gender wage gaps. Fan loyalty to her character Emily Prentiss, noted in commentary, helped sustain momentum for her return and showed audience influence on casting.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the exact season of Brewster’s initial firing—one mentions “season six or seven,” another places it after season 5. CBS has offered no public clarification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We think he saw the show for the first time in years and just said, ‘Oh, I don’t like those women. Get rid of those women.’ And so, A.J. Cook and I were fired.” — Paget Brewster, actress
- “I really did hold on to that anger for too long,” she recalled.” — Paget Brewster
- “I fought to try to get my episodic fee close to what the men were making ‘cause we were always paid less,” — Paget Brewster
- “I was like, ‘Well, I kind of have them over a barrel. They need me more than I need this show.’ So, I got my episode fee way up from what it was,” — Paget Brewster
What’s Next
Season 19 of the revived series launches on Paramount+ on May 28, continuing Brewster’s presence in the franchise.
