These two victims of creative and budget cut are in talks to return to the CBS show under the command of a new showrunner.
- Apr 14, 2011
AceShowbiz - Good news comes in two for "Criminal Minds" fans. Not only the new production team is trying to get back A.J. Cook who plays Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau on the CBS crime drama, but also Paget Brewster aka Emily Prentiss.
Cook was written out of the show for creative reason and budget cut. She was back for two episodes this season to give her character a good closure. In the story, JJ is transferred from BAU to Pentagon. Executive producer Simon Mirren told TV Guide, "We've always intimated that JJ's character has connections outside of our world - other more powerful elements in the government. Those powers that she's connected with come back into her life."
Brewster was out for the same reason and was quickly replaced by a new agent played by Rachel Nichols. The actress did not take the termination well, tweeting " 'Creative Reasons' has been an executive bulls--t excuse for decades. It is financial. AJ is a dreamboat. And yes, I am hurt too."
Fans who were bitter about their departures can now cross their fingers. Executive producer Ed Bernero is leaving his post, replaced by his peer Erica Messer. Cook, according to Deadline, is "in talks" to return next season as a regular for she got the offer late last week after producers came up with new ideas for JJ.
Brewster meanwhile is also poised for the same plan if her pilot on NBC, "My Life as an Experiment" fails to get picked up. These two's potential returns consequently may be a bad news for Nichols.
