Exclusive

Why Jennifer Love Hewitt Was "Sweaty, Clammy" and Thought She Was Being Punk'd on Criminal Minds

Hear her confessions about her new high-profile gig in our exclusive interview

By Kristin Dos Santos Oct 02, 2014 12:40 AMTags
Watch: Jennifer Love Hewitt Spills on "Criminal Minds" Role

Let the Lovefest begin!

Jennifer Love Hewitt joins Criminal Minds tonight, in a surprise casting move that took the fandom by storm back in July when it was announced.

Fun fact: Hewitt was even more surprised than you fans were.

See our exclusive video interview above!

Monty Brinton/CBS

"When I got the call, I was in my sweatpants," Hewitt tells me, "with no makeup, making stuffed bell peppers in my kitchen, where I've been for a while post-baby." She reveals she had no idea the call was coming, and had a bit of a minor freakout—especially when it was time to hit the set. Find out why she was "sweaty and clammy" and thought she was "being Punk'd" in the video above.

Hewitt also talks about how she was "not prepared"  to return to work so soon, and how life has changed as a mother to her 10-month-old daughter, Autumn James Hallisay.

"I'm definitely sort of flying by the seat of my pants," she told me."You know, you're a mom and everything form the moment they're in your arms is flying by the seat of your pants. So you get very good at it very quickly..[Autumn] is being really brave and I'm being brave and we're just sort of figuring it out."

Hewitt plays Kate Callahan, the newest member of the BAU in Criminals' 10th season, which debuts tonight on CBS.

See what else she spills on her role in the video above!