A longtime member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), Prentiss is characterized by her intelligence, linguistic abilities, leadership, resilience, and diplomatic upbringing as the daughter of an ambassador.

Initially met with suspicion due to her diplomatic and political background, she proves herself through cultural knowledge, profiling skills, professionalism, and dedication.

Her storyline is one of the most complex in the series, including faking her own death in Season 6 to evade Ian Doyle, a dangerous nemesis, with the help of Hotch and JJ.

A major effect to the storyline of Prentiss is that the actress, Paget Brewster, departed and returned to Criminal Minds two separate times due to "creative, financial, and personal reasons.

Her mother, Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss, was a prominent U.S. diplomat whose career required frequent relocations to politically sensitive regions, including the Middle East and Europe.

[10] During her teenage years in Rome, Emily faced significant challenges, including a rebellious phase characterized by a goth persona and a desire to fit in with her peers.

[12] Emily Prentiss is portrayed as a highly intelligent, composed, and adaptable agent, whose cultural knowledge and diplomatic upbringing instill professionalism and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Initially met with suspicion due to her diplomatic background and unapproved transfer, Prentiss establishes herself as a valuable member of the team, demonstrating her multilingual abilities, cultural expertise, and strong profiling skills.

Over these seasons, elements of her backstory are revealed, including her experience growing up as the daughter of a U.S. ambassador, her difficult childhood, and her time working with Interpol.

Prentiss’s past plays a central role in Season 6 when Ian Doyle, a former arms dealer she helped capture during her Interpol tenure, escapes prison and seeks revenge.

[16] After resolving the conflict, Prentiss decides to leave the BAU at the end of the season, accepting a leadership position at Interpol’s London office.

Her tenure as leader involves managing internal challenges, including conflicts with FBI Assistant Director Linda Barnes, and leading the team through high-profile cases, such as the manhunt for serial killer Peter Lewis (Scratch).

Emily Prentiss has received significant attention from fans and critics alike, particularly regarding her character's departures and returns, which were closely tied to real-world factors.

[31][32] The decision to reintroduce Prentiss as a main character in Season 12, following Thomas Gibson’s departure from the series, was widely seen as a response to fan demand and an effort to stabilize the show’s core cast.

[35] The move to embrace her gray hair both in and out of the series sparked cultural conversations about aging and beauty standards in Hollywood, being covered by many mainstream networks.