Here's why:
* Different hair colors, different seasons:
* Criminal Minds: Penelope Garcia started the series with blonde hair, which remained her signature look for most of the show's run. This blonde was usually styled with bright, bold colors, often in a ponytail or braids.
* Suspect Behavior: When the character appeared in the short-lived spin-off, her hair was red. This change coincided with the spin-off's slightly darker tone and focus on a different type of criminal.
* Symbolic significance: The change in hair color might suggest a change in Penelope's personality or outlook. She might have embraced a slightly bolder, edgier persona to fit the darker, more serious world of "Suspect Behavior."
While the reasons behind the hair color change are never explicitly stated, the change itself adds a touch of intrigue and invites viewers to consider the potential symbolic meaning.