Shemar Moore departed Criminal Minds in Season 11’s episode “A Beautiful Disaster,” choosing to have his character, Derek Morgan, leave the Behavioral Analysis Unit to spend time with his family—especially after welcoming his newborn son. Moore emphasized it was an actor‑led decision, motivated by personal goals, not behind-the-scenes drama.Reddit+15Screen Rant+15Good Morning America+15
To fans, he made it clear:
“Derek did not die. It’s not goodbye.” E! Online+2Good Morning America+2ABC News+2
🎯 Why He Left: Life Beyond the BAU
1. Family First
After enduring intense storylines and personal losses, Derek’s path led him toward stability. Similarly, Moore wanted to prioritize marriage, fatherhood, travel, and normal life—something the demanding filming schedule didn’t allow.LooperDonadora
2. Creative Growth & Career Evolution
Moore has likened Criminal Minds to “college”—he felt ready for “grad school.” He sought new roles, projects, and challenges beyond the procedural format. Reddit+15Los Angeles Times+15E! Online+15
3. Burnout & Long-Term Commitment
Filming a procedural like Criminal Minds meant ten intense months per season. Moore admitted that after 11 years and over 250 episodes, he needed breathing room—for both career and personal sanity. Screen Rant+9Donadora+9International Business Times UK+9
💬 Moore’s Farewell & What He Shared
Moore reflected on his departure emotionally:
“It was a mixed bag of emotions… the fans’ love made me choke up. I didn’t take the anger as anger. I took it as they really care.” Reddit+14Donadora+14International Business Times UK+14Los Angeles Times
He emphasized gratitude for the show’s impact and expressed openness to future guest returns:
“If I’m asked to come back intermittently… from my heart, the answer is yes.” Los Angeles Times+7CNN+7Country Living+7
🧠 Fans & Reddit Quips: What People Say
Reddit threads echo the same reasons: Moore wanted more balance, a shot at roles beyond “guy with a gun,” and a chance to focus on family.
“He left because his actor had another offer… and wanted to start a family.” Country Living+9Reddit+9usmagazine.com+9Reddit
“He felt he had taken Morgan as far as he could. A guest return? Sure. But not full-time.” Reddit
🔁 What’s Happened Since?
Moore smoothly transitioned to lead in CBS’s S.W.A.T., keeping his action-hero persona intact while also moving into executive producing. He’s continued growing creatively, just as he planned. Reddit+4Wikipedia+4People.com+4
Meanwhile, the Criminal Minds: Evolution reboot has notably not featured Morgan, though showrunner Erica Messer says actor schedules have prevented guest returns—possibly including Moore. The Sun+2Cinemablend+2E! Online+2
📅 A Summary Snapshot
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Family Life | Moore wanted to spend more time traveling, caring for a newborn, and living off set. |
| Creative Growth | He felt he had fully explored Derek Morgan and wanted new acting challenges. |
| High Workload | Eleven seasons and over 250 episodes meant burnout was a risk—he sought balance. |
| Open to Return | Not ruling out guest appearances (if scheduling permits). |
| Continued Career | Now starring in S.W.A.T., Moore has full creative control and a new legacy. |
🏁 Final Thoughts
Shemar Moore’s departure from Criminal Minds was not dramatic—it was intentional. He left on his terms, stepping away from a beloved role to find personal balance and pursue creative evolution. Fans were heartbroken—but he made it clear: Derek Morgan isn’t dead, and he may yet return someday.
His move paved the way to new opportunities, and while we may still miss Morgan, Moore reminds us that growth often means closing one door to open another.
FAQs
Q1: Did Shemar Moore have conflicts with cast or crew that influenced his exit?
No. His departure was amicable and self-directed—no known on-set conflicts tied to his leaving. Screen Rant+1Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+2People.com+2Wikipedia+2Reddit+2Reddit+2Country Living+2Wikipedia+1The Sun+1ABC News+8Country Living+8Los Angeles Times+8
Q2: Was Derek Morgan killed off?
No. The show made clear his departure was voluntary; he left to raise his newborn son. Reddit+15Good Morning America+15Looper+15
Q3: Could Derek Morgan return in the reboot?
Moore is open to returning but scheduling with S.W.A.T. and other commitments currently makes a full-time return unlikely. CNN+11Cinemablend+11Reddit+11
Q4: What did Moore do after leaving?
He landed the starring role in S.W.A.T., expanded into producing, and developed projects beyond the procedural space.LooperWikipedia
Q5: Has Shemar Moore publicly discussed his reasons for leaving?
Yes—across interviews with TV Guide, The Hollywood Reporter, and Good Morning America, he cited creativity and life balance as priorities.
