Jennifer Love Hewitt admits she wasn’t quite ready to return to television when she received the call to appear on Criminal Minds .
The former Client List star decided to take a break from entertainment to raise her daughter, Autumn. However, just because Hewitt was looking for some time off doesn’t mean producers had written her off. When it came time to cast Kate Callahan on CBS’ long-running series, showrunner Erica Messer didn’t hesitate to give her a call.
According to E! Online , Jennifer Love Hewitt wasn’t entirely prepared for her role in the show. However, that didn’t prevent her from jumping back on the small screen.
“When I got the call, I was in my sweatpants, with no makeup, making stuffed bell peppers in my kitchen, where I’ve been for a while post-baby,” the actress told the website, adding that she felt she was getting “punk’d.”
Although Jennifer felt that someone was playing a trick on her, the Criminal Minds offer was the real deal. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly , Hewitt said she was more than happy to accept the role and work with the boys and girls at CBS once again.
“I had been on a break for a bit being a mommy. They were looking to add a new cast member and obviously I spent some time at CBS before, doing Ghost Whisperer. Honestly, I had always wondered and been waiting to find the perfect way to get back. My first CBS experience was so awesome. They’re great, and Les [Moonves] has been great to me. I was really excited when they called and asked to take a meeting. I met with [showrunner] Erica [Messer], who I’ve known since I was 14 from Party of Five. I hadn’t seen her in a really long time, so it was great to catch up with her. It all fit and the timing was perfect.”
The cast of Criminal Minds is clearly thrilled with the addition of Jennifer Love Hewitt, but fans still aren’t convinced she’s right for the show.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is not only a pretty woman. Sweet, funny, clearly talented. I am simply happy she joined our show! CRIMINAL MINDS X
— Shemar Moore (@shemarmoore) October 2, 2014
Not sure how I feel about Jennifer love Hewitt on criminal minds…we’ll see. #criminalminds
— Amanda (@amandae81) October 2, 2014
Not feeling Jennifer Love Hewitt #criminalminds
— Tasha (@tashaicb) October 2, 2014
Are you glad Jennifer Love Hewitt joined Criminal Minds ?
[Lead image via The Los Angeles Times ]