Criminal Minds boss reveals what it would take for Shemar Moore to return

Could Shemar Moore return to Criminal Minds after all? The showrunner has weighed in!

Criminal Minds: Evolution has been a good success for Paramount+. A continuation of the original Criminal Minds, which ran from 2005 to 2020, it focuses on the FBI Behavioral Analysts Unit, which targets a variety of serial killers across America. 

The new series has showcased the BAU handling a ring of serial killers who formed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It captures the same feel of the original series with almost the entire main cast back of Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. 

One notable original name left off the new series is Shemar Moore who played Derek Morgan. The ex-Chicago cop had fit in well with the team using his sharp mind and often addressing some racial issues on cases. He also briefly served as the unit chief. 

Moore left the show in Season 11 with Morgan explained as resigning from the team to care for his new wife and newborn son. He did make a few guest appearances in Seasons 12 and 13 to help the team out.

The obvious reason why Moore wasn’t back for the new series was that he’s been busy starring in the CBS hit SWAT. There were hopes from fans that with SWAT announced as ending with Season 7, Moore might be open to returning to Criminal Minds: Evolution and showing Morgan back on the case. 

Those hopes were dashed when CBS unexpectedly renewed SWAT for an eighth season. This means Moore’s schedule is now pretty set but is there a chance Derek could make a return to Criminal Minds after all?

What are the chances of Shemar Moore coming to Criminal Minds: Evolution?

Speaking to TV Line, Criminal Minds: Evolution showrunner Erica Messer said that if Morgan was to return, it would be for personal reasons, not for a case. 

"At this point, what could bring anybody back” — Reid and Matt included — “would be an emotional draw versus any case work."

Given how SWAT has Moore front and center as Hondo, any Evolution appearance would only be a guest star role, not a full arc. Derek’s brief returns in Seasons 12 and 13 were more about helping Garcia through a trauma and then a past case coming back to haunt the team. 

The personal part could be Morgan suffering a tragedy in his life with his wife and son and the BAU helping him find justice for it. A happier note could be some big BAU event like a wedding or an agent retiring and Morgan pops in to help celebrate it. 

Moore is clearly focused more on SWAT but might be open to returning as Derek if only for one episode. It’s up in the air for now, but hopefully, Criminal Minds: Evolution fans can see this great character back on the BAU in some form or another.

Criminal Minds: Evolution streaming on Paramount+.