When a show takes place for 20 years as “criminal spirits” did, it is extremely rare that it keeps its casting throughout. And this is not the case! The unit of analysis of the hunting behavior of the serial killer (BAU) at the FBI has a rotating door, with new profilers coming and then therefore therefore. Mandy Patinkin, who initially played the role of the central character of the show, Jason Gideon, suddenly left at the start of season 3 of “Criminal Minds” – and he was not the last.
The stars of the shortest “Criminal Minds” were Rachel Nichols, who played the intern of the FBI Ashley Seaver. She made her debut halfway in season 6, stayed until the end of this season, then left. There was a Starling Clarrice in the character of Ashley, but his background was even more horrible than seeing lambs slaughtered. Ashley’s father was himself a serial killer (“The Redmond Ripper”) and she joined the FBI to achieve a redemption and catch men like his father. She made her debut in the 10th episode of season 6, “What Happens at Home …” to help catch a killer in a closed community that corresponds to a profile similar to her father.
“I have a strange affinity for serial killers. I am sort of fascinated by them,” said Nichols about joining “Criminal Minds” in 2011. Indeed, she had previously played on a short procedure “the interior”, as an agent of the FBI to continue the killers. This series lasted only 13 episodes, a moment comparable to the Nichols race on “Criminal Minds”. During the first in season 7, Seaver would have suddenly been transferred to another unit, and she has not returned since.
Despite his unique background frame, Ashley is not the most popular character in the history of the series. This is because his existence and his rapid departure are linked to the failed attempt of the program to cut the actresses AJ Cook (who had played agent Jennifer “JJ” Jareau since season 1) and Paget Brewster (who had joined the cast of season 2 like Emily Prentiss).
In June 2010, it was reported that J Cook did not return to season 6 of “Criminal Minds”. She finally appeared in four episodes of the 24 in total of the season: two to send her character, then two others as a guest star. Paget Brewster would always be part of the main distribution of season 6, but for a reduced number of episodes; Prentiss was written in the 18th episode of the season, “Lauren”, when she simulates her death. Nichols joining a serial regular, in particular to replace Cook and Brewster, was then reported by Deadline in December 2010.
Ashley Seaver failed the replacement of Criminal Minds for JJ
The upheaval of “Criminal Minds” was initially reported as budget cuts, but CBS representatives said it was a creative decision. Subsequent comments of the distribution suggest that these two reasons have been filmed.
Addressing the AV club in 2015, Brewster said that she and Cook had been dismissed because CBS wanted “new women” in the show. Brewster described being dismissed from a job for which she loved that reason like “easily one of the most hurtful things that never happened [to her]”She also noted how” Criminal Minds “Showrunner, Ed Bernero, left the series because” he was so annoyed [at CBS’ demands to fire Cook and Brewster]. “”
“The person they had hired to replace us [Nichols] I was paid twice what we have been paid! It is a network that is not particularly nice to women. This is why many women leave these procedures. Or are licensed. It’s difficult, “said Brewster.
Fans of “Criminal Minds” did not take the upheaval of the lying actors. The backlash for cooking and Brewster who lets himself be left as the action was canceled, and they were rehired in the main cast of season 7. Cook has always been on the show since. Brewster left at the end of the seventh season, but she played in the seasons 9 and 11 before returning full time in season 12.
The return of JJ and Pretiss meant that there was no room left in the distribution for Ashley Seaver. “Criminal Minds” Erica Messer declared in an interview of 2011 with TV guides that “it was not an easy decision [to let Nichols go],” but:
“Having eight characters on ‘Criminal Minds’ seemed unlikely. Rachel is a real hole and a pro. She entered an incredibly difficult position and handled her with Grace. The distribution estimated that she is integrated – we are in fact a funny group out of camera – and we will miss all those of us who worked with her every day.”
Nichols herself told her experience of “Criminal Minds” Whirlwind in a 2014 interview with Parade. Ashley Seaver began as a sinter of fans for replaced JJ and Prentiss; Then, once the fans have warmed up to her, she came out. Nichols said she had discovered that she was not coming back via Twitter when she was on vacation in Peru. She had only kind words for the casting “Criminal Minds”, specifically noting how Joe Mantegna sent her an encouraging email.
Replacing a favorite fans character is difficult enough; Nichols / Seaver has been set up to fail with the task of replacing two of them. Even his convincing background frame, special information on the work of the BAU and a solid introduction episode was not enough to meet the challenge.
