The Real Reason Paget Brewster Left Criminal Minds

In a wide-ranging interview about her career, Brewster told her side of the story to AV Club. First, she shared her recollection of the decision to take her and Cook off the show: "[Someone from] CBS had just called Ed Bernero [Criminal Minds executive producer] and said, 'I want new women.' So we were fired..."

Brewster went on to criticize the network for trying to paint the decision as either financial or creative in nature. Instead, she posited that her firing was rooted in a culture of sexism: "I was so soured by the experience of being fired for no reason. Because it wasn't budget cuts. The person they had hired to replace us got paid twice what we got paid! It's a network that's not particularly kind to women. That's why a lot of women leave those procedurals. Or are fired. It's tough."

The decision was difficult for Brewster, who said, "I was heartbroken. I was so happy there. I loved everyone there, and it was easily one of the most hurtful things that's ever happened, to be fired because they wanted 'new women.'" 

Apparently, she wasn't the only person devastated by the decision. She revealed, "Our showrunner quit after that, he was so pissed off. He felt that he couldn't run his show after we were let go."

Despite being let go from the show at the end of season 5, Brewster didn't just pack up and leave. Her agents managed to secure for her the opportunity to wrap up her storyline, and she was ultimately kept on for two additional seasons. After season 7, however, she made the difficult decision to leave for good.