Paget Brewster has apologized after publicly criticizing a ScreenRant writer over a Criminal Minds: Evolution article.
The actress, who plays Emily Prentiss on the Paramount+ series, called out ScreenRant senior writer Shealyn Scott on X after Scott published a feature about how the show’s move from network television to streaming has changed its storytelling.
Brewster later deleted the post and apologized, writing that she had been “mean” to Scott and “profoundly” regretted it.
The exchange moved quickly from a disagreement over Criminal Minds into a public correction from Brewster, who said she was sorry for insulting someone for doing her job.
Brewster Criticized Scott’s Criminal Minds Article
“Criminal Minds: Evolution” star Paget Brewster lashed out at a ScreenRant critic for writing a mixed review of the Paramount+ reboot:
“You’re young. You don’t know that bad pics and bad reviews can lead to 350 people losing their jobs. Sell vintage. Work at a shelter. Do… pic.twitter.com/RhlRcEBAjU
— Variety (@Variety) June 21, 2026
Scott’s ScreenRant piece was titled “Paramount+’s Criminal Minds Format Change Finally Backfires.” The article argued that the show’s shorter streaming seasons have made some stories feel less developed than they did during the CBS years.
Brewster responded by accusing Scott of using bad photos and writing a bad review. In the now-deleted post, quoted by Variety and Entertainment Weekly, Brewster wrote that bad pictures and bad reviews could lead to “350 people losing their jobs.”
TheWrap reported that Brewster also told Scott to “sell vintage,” “work at a shelter” and “do something better” before adding, “Because right now you suck.”
ScreenRant Defended the Writer
Several writers and viewers criticized Brewster’s post, arguing that a TV writer should be able to critique a show without being personally attacked by one of its stars. TV Insider reported that ScreenRant branding and PR director Rob Keyes also defended Scott, saying the article was not a standard review but a feature about how the show would benefit from more episodes.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Scott’s article mentioned Brewster only once and did so while discussing how the Paramount+ version of the series allows characters such as Prentiss to use stronger language than the CBS version did.
The deleted message named Scott directly and framed her work as a threat to the jobs attached to the series.
Brewster Deleted the Post and Apologized
Hi guys, I was mean to Shealyn Scott last night and I profoundly regret it. Shame on me for insulting a human being for doing their job. I’m very sorry, Shealyn. And I’m sorry to those who follow me that you saw me behave like that. Turns out, last night, I sucked.
— paget brewster (@pagetpaget) June 21, 2026
Brewster apologized on X the next day. “Hi guys, I was mean to Shealyn Scott last night and I profoundly regret it,” she wrote. “Shame on me for insulting a human being for doing their job.”
She also apologized to her followers for seeing her behave that way and ended the post by turning the insult back on herself: “Turns out, last night, I sucked.”
Scott later said Brewster had also reached out privately. “To be clear, Paget also reached out privately to apologize to me!” Scott wrote on X, according to Entertainment Weekly. She added that Criminal Minds remains one of her favorite shows and that she was excited to keep covering the current season.
The Article Focused on the Show’s Shorter Streaming Seasons
Criminal Minds originally ran for 15 seasons on CBS before ending in 2020. Paramount+ revived the series in 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution, bringing the BAU back in a shorter streaming-season format.
Scott’s ScreenRant article argued that the 10-episode structure has made it harder for the show to develop certain characters and storylines. TV Insider reported that the piece was mostly positive about the series itself while criticizing the reduced episode count.
Criminal Minds: Evolution is currently streaming Thursdays on Paramount+.