Paget Brewster leaving 'Criminal Minds' ... again

Paget Brewster, second from left, will be leaving "Criminal Minds" again.

Well, the gang at CBS's "Criminal Minds" were whole again this year, but it appears that will be a short-lived event.

This season marked the return of series regulars Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss and A.J. Cook as J.J. Jareau. Their departure last season brought a clamor from fans who were upset at the decision to axe the stars, especially considering it appeared to have been a financial rather than creative one.

According to Deadline, however, Brewster will once again leave the show at the end of the season, but this time the decision is hers.

"After six wonderful years playing Emily Prentiss, I have decided it’s time for me to move on," she told Deadline. "As much as I will miss my 'Criminal Minds' family, I am excited about the future and other opportunities."


Last year, Brewster filmed a pilot for NBC's "My Life as an Experiment," but the show wasn't picked up. ABC Studios, which produces "Criminal Minds," then exercised an option in the actress' contract to bring her back for another year.

According to Deadline's report, Brewster's contract was up this year and declined to sign a new one. She is instead looking for a another comedy pilot to try.

"We were all sad to hear the news, but we respect and support any decision Paget wants to make," "Criminal Minds" executive producer Erica Messer told Deadline. “Personally, I’m a huge fan and will continue to be one wherever she goes.”

Actor Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr. Spencer Reid on the procedural, is also up for a contract renewal this year. Last year, Thomas Gibson, who plays Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotcher, signed a two-year contract extension just two weeks before filming was set to begin on the series' seventh season. The rest of the regular cast in under contract for next season.