Which episode does Morgan leave Criminal Minds?
| Derek Morgan | |
|---|---|
| Last appearance | "A Beautiful Disaster" 11x18, March 23, 2016 (main cast) "Lucky Strikes" 13x05, October 25, 2017 (special guest) "Flesh & Blood" 14×10, December 12, 2018 (flashbacks) |
| Created by | Jeff Davis |
| Portrayed by | Shemar Moore |
| In-universe information | |
Only two episodes later in Criminal Minds' "A Beautiful Disaster" Morgan's pregnant wife Savannah is shot. After Morgan helped capture the culprit and Savannah gave birth to their son Hank — named after Morgan's late father — the special agent says goodbye to the team and quits the BAU.
In fact, its only natural key cast would leave over its fifteen-year run, with Thomas Gibson famously being fired during season 12. Another major departure came during Criminal Minds season 11 when Shemar Moore's Derek Morgan left the team.
For a time, he was the acting unit chief of the BAU, taking over as Hotch stepped down temporally. Morgan specialized in explosives, fixations, and obsessive behaviors. He officially resigned from the BAU in Season Eleven in order to be with his new family. His position was taken over by Luke Alvez in Season Twelve.
SSA Derek Morgan decided to leave the BAU.
After all he had been through, SSA Derek Morgan decided that it was time to leave the BAU and focus on his growing family. Before leaving, he presented Dr. Reid with his son's birth announcement.
While Morgan did have an emotional last season—he was kidnapped, nearly killed, found out his girlfriend and future wife was pregnant, etc. —Morgan didn't die at the end of it. Instead, his character chose to exit the B.A.U. to spend time with his family, particularly his newborn son.
"Even my mom texted me, "'Where's Matthew?!' " executive producer Erica Messer tells TVGuide.com of Reid's three-episode absence.
Both Gubler and Reid needed some time away from the BAU
For Matthew Gray Gubler, his contract included time off to work on other projects, which is understandable given his 11 years playing the same character. As for his character, the early absences were explained by having Reid away visiting with his mother.
Shemar Moore left 'Criminal Minds'
Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Morgan left, but he's returned before, including in the season 12 finale and again in season 13.
The nature of Garcia and Morgan's relationship was a hot topic of television gossip for many years. Surely this season would be the one where they put aside their respective ephemeral off-camera romantic relationships and hook up; it was a familiar refrain with every new season renewal, but it never came to fruition.
Why is JJ not in season 11?
A. J. Cook announced her pregnancy, a fact that was carried over to her character Jennifer "JJ" Jareau as well. Showrunner Erica Messer stated in an interview that Cook's character JJ would not appear for the first five episodes of the season as Cook was on maternity leave.
They have loads of chemistry together, and they've remained friends despite any comments that make viewers think it could be something more. They care about each other lot, but it never was taken to the next level, and the two never actually dated.
As a result, she turns him down, and their relationship appears to have ended ("I Love You, Tommy Brown"). Garcia eventually becomes involved with an old flame, Sam. In the final episode of season 15, "And In the End..." , Luke Alvez asks her out for dinner, an offer which she happily accepts.
Having JJ be the one to help Reid sort things out would have been beyond strange at this point. Criminal Minds instead gave Maeve the chance to help Reid sort through his life and death dilemma. Thankfully for fans, Reid decided to stay among the living. An uplifting twist for the series finale.
In a 2017 interview with Michael Ausiello for TVLine, Paget Brewster, who plays Agent Emily Prentiss, said that the cast was more than just friends. "We're all very attached — and kinda corny ... We really care about each other, and so it definitely makes it a great place to work.
Shemar Moore reprised his role as Derek Morgan in the season finale as his character tried to help catch Mr. Scratch after bringing the BAU a lead in the case against him.
On October 12, 2017, it was announced that Shemar Moore would reprise his role as Derek Morgan in the fifth episode of the season ("Lucky Strikes"). His character returned to help Penelope Garcia get through a tough time.
In early August 2016, Thomas Gibson was suspended from Criminal Minds due to an on-set physical altercation with one of the show's writer-producers.
The answer is no, so don't even try to come up with anything else. The pair starred on the CBS drama for several years before Shemar exited, but their friendship never strictly stayed on the small screen. Instead, these two have been known to take supercute — and superhot — photos together both on and off set.
