Derek Morgan worked in the Behavioral Analysis Unit on Criminal Minds as a former FBI Special Agent. When Hotch, Derek’s boss, was on leave, he managed the squad for a while. Morgan specialized in dealing with explosives, odd behavior, and obsessions. Derek Morgan eventually left the unit to focus on his family and was replaced by Luke Alvez as the Supervisory Special Agent.
Criminal Minds is an American police crime drama television series. Jeff Davis serves as the creator and executive producer. It originally premiered on September 22, 2005, on CBS. During its 15-year run, the show experienced its fair share of cast turnover.
The pilot of the show follows the work of a team of criminal profilers in the BAU of the FBI. They use behavioral analysis and profiling to track down criminals, who they more "affectionately" refer to as the "unsub."
Why did Derek Morgan leave Criminal Minds?
Derek Morgan, played by Shemar Moore, is a key character in Criminal Minds (2005–2020). In the first episode, we meet Morgan as a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. For 11 seasons, he's a rock for the team, helping them solve some of the worst crimes in America.
Shemar Moore left the main cast in season 11 but still appeared in a few episodes over the next three seasons.
Moore decided to leave the show after 11 seasons because he felt it was time to move on. He believed he had explored Morgan's character as far as he could and wanted to pursue new opportunities.
As per his conversation with TV Guide, Shemar said:
“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," he said. “I want to get married, I want to have kids, I want to travel.”
Who plays Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds?
Derek Morgan is portrayed by Shemar Moore, an American actor known for several notable roles. He played Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless, Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, and Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson on S.W.A.T., all on CBS.
He also hosted Soul Train and voiced G.U.N. Agent Randall Handel in the video game Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Among his numerous accolades are eight NAACP Image Awards, and 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. He was also nominated for a People’s Choice Award for his work on Criminal Minds in 2016.
Is Shemar Moore coming back to Criminal Minds: Evolution?
Shemar Moore won't be coming back to the Criminal Minds: Evolution because he's too busy with S.W.A.T.
During his interview with EW, he said;
"Would I go back to 'Criminal Minds' and flirt with my baby girl, and chase down UnSubs? Sure, alright. But Hondo kinda busy is all I'm saying."
That being said, though Moore has not completely ruled out the idea of returning to the show, it's not a definite yes either. For now, it's unlikely, as S.W.A.T. has already begun its sixth season.
It won't be easy for Shemar Moore to reprise the role of Derek Morgan due to his commitment to his new project, but it's good to know that he didn't turn down the show for personal reasons.
All the episodes of the show are available for fans to stream on Hulu.
