Why Did Shemar Moore Leave Criminal Minds? Is Shemar Moore Coming Back to Criminal Minds?
by Sona
Updated Jun 01, 2023
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Who is Shemar Moore?
Shemar Franklin Moore is an accomplished American actor known for his notable roles in various television series. He gained recognition for portraying Malcolm Winters in the long-running soap opera "The Young and the Restless" from 1994 to 2005. Moore further showcased his talent and versatility as Derek Morgan in the popular crime drama series "Criminal Minds" from 2005 to 2016.
He took on the lead role of Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in the show "S.W.A.T." from 2017 to 2024, all of which aired on CBS. In addition to his television success, Shemar Moore also made his mark as the third permanent host of the iconic music and dance show "Soul Train" from 1999 to 2003.
Born in Oakland, California, Moore is the son of Marilyn Wilson, a business consultant, and Sherrod Moore. Throughout his career, he has received acclaim for his performances, earning numerous accolades, including eight NAACP Image Awards.
In 2000, he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on "The Young and the Restless." Furthermore, his remarkable portrayal of Derek Morgan in "Criminal Minds" garnered him a nomination for a People's Choice Award in 2016.
Why Did Shemar Moore Leave Criminal Minds?
Shemar Moore made the decision to leave the popular television series Criminal Minds, where he portrayed the character Derek Morgan. Derek had been an integral part of the show since its inception, undergoing significant character development throughout the seasons.
From his early lightheartedness to his more weathered persona, Derek faced personal challenges stemming from a traumatic childhood and endured difficult times in the show's 11th season. Moore's departure from Criminal Minds was driven by his desire to explore new opportunities and focus on his personal life.
In an interview with TV Guide, he expressed his readiness to grow and take a leap into the unknown. While uncertain of where he would land, Moore believed in the potential of discovering new creative endeavors and pushing his boundaries. After dedicating considerable time to the show, he also yearned to spend quality time with his family and enjoy moments of relaxation with his beloved dogs, something he had been unable to do for a while.
Although fans of Criminal Minds were saddened by Moore's departure, he did make guest appearances in the 12th and 13th seasons, providing some consolation. Additionally, Moore took on a leading role in the CBS series S.W.A.T., which aired from 2017 to 2019, showcasing his talent and versatility in a new project.
Is Shemar Moore Coming Back to Criminal Minds?
Yes, Shemar Moore is making a comeback to Criminal Minds for a special two-episode guest appearance in the show's 15th and final season. This news came as a surprise to fans, as they eagerly anticipate the return of his beloved character, Derek Morgan. Shemar Moore played Derek for 11 seasons during the show's original run.
The return of Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is now even more likely. Following its successful debut, Paramount+ has renewed the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) for another season, and it is expected that all returning cast members will be part of the upcoming police procedural.
In a recent Instagram post, Shemar shared a photo revealing his plans to make a guest appearance on The Young and the Restless, a soap opera where he made his TV debut back in May 1994. This holds special significance for Shemar as he portrayed the popular character Malcolm Winters on the show for over a decade until 2005. The announcement of his return to the role that brought him fame has generated excitement among fans.
While Shemar has not commented on the possibility of his return to Criminal Minds, a report from Deadline provided some insights into Malcolm's storyline on The Young and the Restless. It is suggested that Malcolm will return to his hometown with the intention of reconnecting with his daughter Lily and his nephews Devon and Nate, played by Christel Khalil, Bryton James, and Sean Dominic, respectively.
When Did Shemar Moore Leave Criminal Minds?
Shemar Moore departed from Criminal Minds in March 2016, during the show's 11th season. His final appearance as a main cast member was in the episode titled "A Beautiful Disaster," which aired on March 23, 2016. However, he made subsequent guest appearances in the episodes "Lucky Strikes" (season 13, episode 5) on October 25, 2017, and "Flesh & Blood" (season 14, episode 10) on December 12, 2018, in flashback sequences.
Shemar Moore decided to leave Criminal Minds after 11 seasons as he was motivated by a desire to explore new opportunities and focus on his personal life. In a two-part episode that aired on March 22 and 23, 2016, Moore's character, Derek Morgan, was written off the show as he decided to embark on a new life with his girlfriend, Savannah Hayes (played by Rochelle Aytes).
Although fans were saddened by Moore's departure, they had the pleasure of seeing him return for guest appearances in seasons 12 and 13. Furthermore, from 2017 to 2019, he starred in the CBS series S.W.A.T., which provided fans with another opportunity to see him in a leading role on television.
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural crime drama TV series created by Jeff Davis. It first premiered on CBS on September 22, 2005, and originally ended on February 19, 2020, but was later revived in 2022.
The show revolves around the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a team of FBI criminal profilers who investigate crimes using behavioral analysis and profiling techniques to identify and apprehend unknown subjects, commonly referred to as "unsubs." The series follows the team as they work on various cases, while also exploring their personal struggles.
The original main cast included characters such as Jason Gideon, Aaron Hotchner, Elle Greenaway, Derek Morgan, Dr. Spencer Reid, Jennifer Jareau, and Penelope Garcia. Over the course of the show, the cast underwent significant changes, with new characters joining the team.
Criminal Minds enjoyed great success, becoming a ratings hit for CBS throughout its 15-year run. It spawned a media franchise, including spinoffs like a South Korean adaptation and a video game.
The fifteenth and final season of the show aired from January to February 2020, followed by the premiere of the sixteenth season, titled "Criminal Minds: Evolution," on Paramount+ in November 2022. Paramount+ has also ordered a true-crime docuseries called "The Real Criminal Minds."
Why Did Shemar Moore Leave Criminal Minds - FAQs
Shemar Franklin Moore is an accomplished American actor known for his notable roles in various television series.
Shemar Moore left Criminal Minds in March 2016 after eleven seasons. He wanted to explore new opportunities and focus on his personal life.
Yes, Shemar Moore is returning to Criminal Minds for a two-episode guest arc in the show's 15th and final season.
Shemar Moore left Criminal Minds during the show's 11th season. His last appearance as a main cast member was in the episode "A Beautiful Disaster," which aired on March 23, 2016.
Yes, Shemar Moore made guest appearances in seasons 12 and 13 of Criminal Minds after his departure from the main cast.