"Criminal Minds" has a different take on the pregnancies of two of its cast members. Jennifer Love Hewitt is expecting her second baby and so is A.J. Cook. However, the actresses are going down opposite paths with regard to their future on the crime thriller.
Hewitt has decided to become a full-time mom and chose to pass up season 11 to "give this second baby everything she gave her first."
The show's executive producer Erica Messer revealed to Entertainment Weekly that it was the star's decision to leave the show although it is still unclear whether or not this is temporary. Nevertheless, Messer "left [the door open creatively" and that there is a possibility that Hewitt can return for season 12 if she wanted to.
"Hotch says, "You always have a place here," and we believe that wholeheartedly off-screen as well," the EP shared. "It was a great season and we had a lot of fun with her... That opportunity for paths to cross again is definitely open."
On the other hand, Cook, who plays Special Agent JJ in the series, is set to return for the season but viewers will not see her during the initial episodes of season 11. The actress is due around the same time the show starts filming, which means that she will have to skip some episodes. Messer has this all figured out by reminding fans that the character is on maternity leave, justifying her absence.
Messer said that the two women's own approach on the matter of their pregnancies makes it great and exciting.
"Both are having their second kids and both are making very different choices as working moms. I love that, too. I just love that these two really strong women get to make their own choices of what they want to do moving forward, and that's so empowering and so great," she said.
Messer revealed in the same EW interview that fans won't have to be worried about more cast exits as she believes that "Criminal Minds" has "a strong group together for so many years." Season 11 of the series will begin production in July.
