One Criminal Minds Return Fans Have Been Begging for Probably Won’t Happen

Whenever an actor leaves a long-running TV show, there will always be a section of the fan base who are unhappy with the change. Whether the character is killed off for narrative reasons or the actor steps away from the role to take a break from the show, there is always a drive for those personalities to soon return, to mix things up with the ensemble once more. Change is a scary thing, but in the world of network television, it happens all the time. In the case of Criminal Minds, which began in 2005 and ran for 18 seasons, it’s not all that surprising that actors have decided to step away, sometimes for good.

It’s a show that requires a great deal of energy to keep up with, as the shooting schedule is grueling, and the role is all-encompassing. As a result, it’s rare to see talents from Criminal Minds explore other ventures while in the show, because there simply isn’t any time to do so. For Shemar Moore, there was a good reason for leaving the series, but fans were unhappy about it. And while Moore might be very busy, that hasn’t stopped audiences from hoping to see him make a comeback, despite the improbability.

Shemar Moore Left the Show to Explore Other Pursuits

Derek Morgan Was Kept Alive

Many might know Shemar Moore from his time on Criminal Minds. While he has also appeared in such projects as Sonic the Hedgehog, The Young and the Restless, and DC Comics’ animated projects, Moore cemented himself within the procedural television setting for his part as Derek Morgan. The character appeared in 251 episodes of the show and was a crucial part of the original ensemble. He would continue to work within the team until Season 11 of the show, making his final appearance in Episode 18. Derek Morgan was an irreplaceable persona, but Criminal Minds had to move on without him.

Within the context of the show, Morgan was not killed off. In fact, the character left the team so that he could focus on other projects, and more importantly, spend more time with his family, in a very sad episode. Morgan thus went out with a hero’s ending, with the team bidding him goodbye as he rode off into the sunset. It was a satisfying ending for a character that fans would have felt deserved so much, but also one where there is an opportunity for the character to guest star again. Shemar Moore is certainly open to the idea of a cameo at the very least, but a full-time return has seemed unlikely for some time.

Shemar Moore initially left Criminal Minds for the very same reason that so many others decided to step away from procedural TV shows. The schedule was becoming too big, and there were fewer opportunities for Moore to explore other projects. It’s fair to say that Moore’s stardom was on the rise, and if massive franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog are taken into consideration, then it’s obvious that there was more for Moore to capitalize on. Leaving the Criminal Minds universe was a massive risk, but Moore would make the most of the opportunities presented to him.

Moore did leave on good terms with the rest of the team on Criminal Minds, and while it would have been easy for him to take on much smaller roles in spinoffs like Criminal Minds: Evolution, the actor has largely stayed away from the part ever since. In fact, the performer is incredibly active in so many roles that it seemed as if he would never get the chance to return to Criminal Minds because of his new, even busier schedule. It seems that leaving Criminal Minds resulted in an uptick in work, adding to Moore’s filmography. But that has also left die-hard fans very disappointed.

Shemar Moore’s SWAT Got Canceled

There Was a Window For the Actor’s Return

One of the most significant roles that Shemar Moore took on during his time away from the show was that of Hondo in S.W.A.T., which will be fashioned as SWAT from here on out. The actor moved from one procedural series to another, taking on another leading role and ultimately helping to shape a completely different style of show. SWAT proved to be a hit for CBS, running for 8 seasons, all of which starred Moore. Its quality writing and fast-paced narratives ensured that fans kept coming back for more, and while it was almost canceled a couple of times, SWAT proved to be resilient.

In fact, the last time SWAT was canceled was back in 2023, when Criminal Minds fans became convinced that this was their chance to see Moore return back to the show in a full-time capacity. However, despite a dispute between Sony and CBS seemingly leading to SWAT coming off the air for good, the show was eventually saved, much to the delight of Moore. The team were back together again, and the show continued until 2025, when the wheels came off all over again. SWAT had a fantastic run, boosting Moore’s career further, but it was set to hit a roadblock.

It was announced by CBS and Sony that SWAT would not be returning for another season. Despite the ratings still sitting at a respectable level and the show acting as a well-known name within the CBS schedule, the changing economics of the industry seemed to make future seasons unviable. It’s a setback for the cast and crew, who were really establishing something special with the show, but network television can be a fickle thing, and shows come and go all the time. Eight seasons is a great run, especially within the context of the modern industry, and that left the door open for some good news.

Criminal Minds viewers were back out in force, hoping to see Shemar Moore return to Criminal Minds, now that there was a massive gap in his schedule. Not only would he likely be looking for work, but he could also return as a conquering hero who set out to achieve more and succeeded with flying colors. Rumors started to swirl, and fans came up with their own storylines, figuring out how his character might weave back in among the ensemble. All that speculation was for nought, though, because within 48 hours, everything would change.

A Criminal Minds Comeback Probably Isn’t Happening

Moore Is Now Busy With SWAT: Exiles

Unfortunately for fans, this Criminal Minds return, which they have been begging for, probably won’t happen. Because mere days after SWAT was canceled, Sony announced that they had commissioned a new show, set within the same universe. SWAT: Exiles, a spinoff featuring a band of misfits attempting to come together to operate as an elite protective force, has been given the green light to move ahead with 10 episodes. It will be filming in Los Angeles later on this year, and appears to be breaking away from the traditional SWAT formula that had been established prior to it.

Most surprising of all, despite the majority of the cast featuring fresh new faces, SWAT: Exiles will feature Shemar Moore back as Hondo, in a leadership capacity. Coming out of retirement, he’ll be tasked with getting this band of rejects to bond with one another, so that they may hope to live up to their potential and promise. It’s a vital role, and one that will likely see Moore appear in every episode of the new series, to craft continuity with the previous show, and to offer experienced guidance to the new cast members stepping into this world.

But that means, for Criminal Minds fans, there’s a longer wait in store. Because SWAT: Exiles will undoubtedly take up more of Moore’s schedule, leaving less room for him to shoot for the CBS series. Moore was such a big part of Criminal Minds that it seems absurd that he may never return. But his upcoming slate is very full, and with all his focus going into making SWAT: Exiles a success, that up-and-coming series simply needs him more than a firmly established giant. Perhaps one day Moore will return, but it isn’t going to happen while the SWAT franchise lives on.

But, not all is lost, because it appears that Criminal Minds, which has been rebranded Criminal Minds: Evolution, will be receiving yet another series, and with all the changes happening over at that show, it should continue to prosper. As for Moore, keep an eye on SWAT: Exiles and the Sonic the Hedgehog series to get a sense of whether leaving the show improved his career. It seems to this writer that the right choices were made.