Actress Paget Brewster to Exit CBS's CRIMINAL MINDS

As first reported on Deadline.com, actress Paget Brewster will be leaving her role of Emily Prentiss on the CBS drama CRIMINAL MINDS at the end of the current season.  

Last year, the actress took a temporary leave from the CBS crime drama to shoot a pilot for NBC entitled 'My Life as an Experiment'. After the pilot was not picked up from the network, the actress returned to Criminal Minds as per the terms of her contract. 

In a statement to Deadline, the actress explained, “After six wonderful years playing Emily Prentiss, I have decided it’s time for me to move on. As much as I will miss my Criminal Minds family, I am excited about the future and other opportunities.”

Producer Erica Messer responded to Brewster's announcement yesterday, stating,  “We were all sad to hear the news, but we respect and support any decision Paget wants to make. Personally, I’m a huge fan and will continue to be one wherever she goes.” 

As Brewster departs from the long-running series, her co-stars, Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore and Cook have all signed deals to return for the upcoming season.