Shemar Moore has left Criminal Minds officially after last night’s (3/23) episode of the hit crime-drama on CBS TV.
While there have been a handful of character changes on the show during the 11 seasons it has been on the air, “Derek Morgan” is one of the mainstays in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (or BAU) for the FBI on Criminal Minds. Shemar has portrayed that, as he calls it, “action Jackson” type character during that time frame.
After previous episodes this season had “Derek” going through a roller coaster storyline that included being abducted and tortured as well as getting married and finding out he was going to be a father, last night’s episode titled “A Beautiful Disaster” saw Derek become a father and choose to leave his job at the BAU to take care of his family.
While rumors had begun to circulate because of the turmoil that Shemar could be leaving the show, as a fan of the show I really didn’t think that would really happen. I was wrong.
In the behind the scenes video of the episode above, Shemar and his co-stars talk about his time on the show in front of the camera and behind it and his decision to leave the show.
In a video posted to CBS.com late Wednesday (3/23) the actor explained to a degree his decision and said goodbye to the “Derek Morgan” fans. “To my homies, to my fans, to my baby girls: Cry if you have to, scream and yell if you have to, smile, smile, laugh, celebrate. This is not goodbye; this is goodbye to this part of a dream, this chapter. I’m not going anywhere. You guys haven’t gone anywhere. Without you, my dream is not possible. I can dream all day every day, but I can’t make it work unless you support me, unless you root for me, unless you watch me and you believe in me,” Shemar said, adding, “With whatever success I may have, it means nothing unless I inspire others. So whoever you are, I’m just like you.”
With regard to the show and his future plans, Shemar said, “I‘ve had a ball. So this party might be ending with me in it, but I promise you, I’m gonna throw another party and invite all of you.”
Again, as a fan of the show, I will say this about Shemar Moore’s departure from Criminal Minds, I will reserve judgment about the show without “Derek Morgan.”
“I have grown through ‘Derek Morgan’ and through these years at Criminal Minds,” the beloved actor told CBS.com. “I’ll miss it. I’ll miss Derek. I already do.”
Thank you Shemar for 11 great seasons on Criminal Minds and good luck with whatever is next for you.
By: Buck Stevens
