Why does Derek Morgan leave the BAU?
James Craig
Published Jan 15, 2026
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.
Why did Derek Morgan leave the BAU?
Unlike some other shocking Criminal Minds character exits, there was no behind-the-scenes drama involved with Shemar Moore's departure, with the actor simply deciding that after eleven seasons it was time to leave. He felt he'd explored every facet of Morgan as a character and he wanted to pursue other projects.
How did Derek Morgan leave?
'Criminal Minds' Profile: Derek Morgan
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.
Does Derek quit the BAU?
After 11 years, original Criminal Minds cast member Shemar Moore last night said goodbye to the CBS crime drama and his character Derek Morgan. Morgan, who survived a harrowing kidnapping is leaving the BAU to focus on life and family.
Does Derek Morgan join the BAU again?
Derek Morgan has returned before to 'Criminal Minds' since his official departure. Morgan didn't leave the BAU for good so to speak. He's returned twice to reprise his role and interact with the main characters again. Since his exit, he's returned in the season 12 finale as well as in season 13.
45 related questions foundDoes Aaron Hotchner return?
The move would make it nearly impossible for Hotchner to return to his field of work at the BAU, prompting him to resign from the position. After Lewis' death, Hotchner and Jack leave the Witness Protection Program, but Hotchner chooses to spend time with his son as a full-time father, rather than return to the BAU.
Who tried to have Derek Morgan killed?
Chazz first tried to have Morgan killed by hiring John Bradley and his group of operatives to abduct, torture, and presumably kill him, under the guise of extracting information from him. When that failed, Chazz went after Morgan personally, shooting his wife Savannah Hayes in front of him with a sniper rifle.
Does Morgan leave Criminal Minds?
What episode does Morgan leave Criminal Minds? Only two episodes later in Criminal Minds' “A Beautiful Disaster” Derek's pregnant wife Savannah is shot. After helping capture the culprit and Savannah gave birth to their son Hank – named after his late father – Morgan says goodbye to the team and quits the BAU.
What is Derek Morgan's baby's name?
They eventually have a son named Hank Spencer Morgan, naming him after Derek's father and Reid. Morgan is intensely devoted to his coworkers, especially Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia.
What episode do we find out Morgan was molested?
"Criminal Minds" Profiler, Profiled (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb.
Who does Penelope Garcia end up with?
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.
Was Derek Morgan molested as a child?
When Derek was a child, he spent a lot of time at the Chicago Youth Center where Carl Buford, the owner of the center, began sexually abusing him. After returning to Chicago as an adult, being charged with murder, and finding out that Buford was still assaulting young men, Morgan came clean to his team.
Why did Hotchner leave Criminal Minds?
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.
Why did Gideon leave Criminal Minds?
'Criminal Minds' Profile: Jason Gideon
Jason Gideon was a criminal profiler, formerly the Senior Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. At the beginning of Season Three, Gideon abruptly retired from the BAU due to emotional issues brought on by the murder of his girlfriend.
Why did JJ leave BAU in season 6?
Jareau was written out of the show after Cook was let go at the beginning of season six, for financial reasons relating to the premiere of the spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.
Does Spencer have a baby Criminal Minds?
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. His baby boy's name, Hank Spencer Morgan, was named in honor of his late father and his best friend.
Did Shemar Moore get married?
The actor and model has made women swoon for decades on both the big and small screen, but he is not married and has never been married. The star has been linked to quite a few famous women over the years, however, including Anabelle Acosta, Halle Berry, and Toni Braxton.
Does Spencer Reid have a kid with cat?
Thankfully, that soapy twist is not true, but Cat is pregnant -- with the baby of a guard who worked both her and Reid's prisons. And off goes the light bulb for Reid: His dirty little "secret" is that he enjoyed poisoning his fellow inmates.
Who is Derek Morgan's girlfriend?
Savannah Hayes is the girlfriend (and eventual wife) of former SSA Derek Morgan and a recurring character on Criminal Minds.
What is Thomas Gibson doing now?
What is Thomas Gibson doing 2020? Since leaving Criminal Minds, Gibson has kept a low profile. He has credits in a few films (Axis and Shadow Wolves), and he's involved as a writer, producer, and star of a passion project called The Writer's Bible.
Will there be season 16 of Criminal Minds?
The 16th season of Criminal Minds will premiere on CBS in the fall, with production beginning this summer. The renewal was announced just a year after the conclusion of criminal minds season 15 by Paramount+, which produced the show.
What's the Dirty Dozen in Criminal Minds?
The Dirty Dozen is hacker slang
This comes in Season 11 when the BAU is targeted by an anonymous group of hitmen. They seemingly refer to their targets as "The Dirty Dozen." However, in the episode "Target Rich," it's revealed that the nickname refers solely to Garcia, who had investigated the group on the dark web.
What episode does Morgan leave?
How Derek Morgan was Written Off Criminal Minds. Season 11 was the last for Morgan and gave him some great episodes. In Season 11, Episode 16, Morgan had visions of his father, who was played by Danny Glover. It was the first time fans saw Hank Morgan depicted in such a fashion.
Is Thomas Gibson related to Mel Gibson?
Mel Gibson, Thomas Gibson's Father When he was young, Gibson was more interested in singing than acting. This is despite his father, Mel Gibson being one of the most famous actors of all time. As a boy, he admired Louis Armstrong (an American musician who made a large impact in jazz) and tried to copy his voice.