IfMagazine has an exclusive interview with Kristen Vangsness. She also talks about Shemar.

iF: Did the producers tell you what they felt you were bringing to the show that they felt they needed that they hadn’t had without you/Garcia?
VANGSNESS: I don’t know. At first, I thought it was just exposition. I can tell you that when me and Shemar [Moore, who plays Special Agent Derek Morgan] met, we instantly got along and instantly started cracking jokes and making fun of each other and busting each other’s chops.

iF: So the playfulness between Garcia and Morgan in the show came out of you playing on set?
VANGSNESS: Yeah, absolutely. But they wanted it that way. Penelope – her name was actually an homage to Moneypenny [from the Bond films]. She was [Morgan’s] Moneypenny. Coming from a theatre background, I get very invested in all about the character, so I think the fact that I love my job so much transcended [the producers’ initial concept of Garcia as a bit pat]. I don’t know. I fell in love with it so hard that maybe that’s what it was. It’s just nice to see something where someone really loves what they do.

IF: So the CRIMINAL MINDS actors areis fairly supportive of one another’s extracurricular work?
VANGSNESS: Oh, absolutely. They all come to my plays. Shemar comes to everything at least once.

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