The Real Reason Shemar Moore Left Criminal Minds Might Surprise You
For over a decade, Criminal Minds fans tuned in to hear Derek Morgan say "babygirl" with just the right mix of flirt and fury.
When Shemar Moore left the series in Season 11, it felt like the BAU lost more than just muscle. He's popped in for the occasional cameo since, but viewers have always wondered: why did he really walk away?
Turns out, it wasn't a scandal or a creative clash. Moore just felt like it was time to move on. In a 2016 interview with TV Guide, he explained:
"I've treated my acting career like school. The Young and the Restless: eight years — that was high school. Criminal Minds: college. Now I'm ready for grad school, a Ph.D., whatever you want to call it. I'm just ready to grow."
He added that part of it was personal, too:
"I wanted to see what the next chapter of my acting career is and also have a little balance so I could pursue other avenues of my life. I want to get married, I want to have kids, I want to travel."
A year later, Moore landed exactly what he'd hoped for: a lead role in his own primetime series, S.W.A.T., where he played LAPD sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson. That series ran from 2017 to 2025, surviving multiple cancellations before finally being axed (again) after Season 8. And just when fans thought he might return to Criminal Minds, CBS greenlit a S.W.A.T. spin-off with Moore still front and center — which could complicate things.
Still, Moore's never closed the door on revisiting Morgan. He told TV Guide in that same 2016 interview:
"Erica Messer [showrunner] refused to kill Derek Morgan. Those elevator doors closed. Am I going to sign a long-term contract? Probably not. But if they ask me to come back and dance, yes, I would be willing to do that. [But] not right away."
Eight years later, in a 2024 TV Insider interview, he hadn't changed his tune: "All I need is an invitation. I'll never forget where I came from."
Moore did return for two guest appearances: once in the Season 12 finale, and again in Season 13, Episode 5 ("Lucky Strikes"), where he reunited with Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) for one last emotional arc. That was the last time he appeared on the show.
Why hasn't he shown up in Criminal Minds: Evolution yet? Scheduling, according to Messer. She told TVLine in 2024 that Moore's S.W.A.T. commitment made it impossible to bring him in for Evolution Season 2. Now that his calendar might open up — depending on how involved he is in the spin-off — that could change.
If he does come back, it likely won't be as a regular. The show has evolved without him. Characters like Luke Alvez, Tara Lewis, and JJ have stepped into the action-heavy fieldwork roles, while Garcia's found new on-screen chemistry with Luke and Tyler Green. Morgan's legacy is still strong — but his old spot has been filled.
That said, if Shemar Moore wants to stroll back in, drop a "babygirl," and disappear into the night again? Nobody's saying no to that. Just don't expect him to move back in permanently.
All episodes of Criminal Minds and Criminal Minds: Evolution are streaming on Paramount+.