AsCriminal Minds: Evolutioncontinues on Paramount+, many hope that some of the show’s original actors (e.g. Shemar Moore) will return, but it would be difficult forMoore to reprise his role as Derek Morgan in season 3.Criminal Minds: Evolutionis a revival of the CBS police procedural crime dramaand premiered two years after its series finale. Consequently, the world ofCriminal Mindslives on asEvolutionheads into its third season. While many original actors have returned for the revival and are expected to be in season 3, Moore, unfortunately, isn’t one of them.
Production onCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3 began in August 2024, and while Paramount+ hasn’t announced a release date, many predict season 3 will be released in 2025.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2’s endingleft many questions unanswered, including if Voit survived the prison attack. Thankfully, Paramount+ announced that the show had been renewed for a third season prior to its season 2 finale. So, fans don’t have to be worried aboutEvolutionending on a cliffhanger. Plus, characters like Emily Prentiss, David Rossi, Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, and Penelope Garcia will likely return in season 3. Althoughthe cast list contains many veteran actors in theCriminal Mindsfranchise,some viewers can’t help but want more, like Moore (and Matthew Gray Gubler, of course).
SWAT’s Cast Status Makes It Improbable For Moore To Appear In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3
One significant reasonwhy Shemar Moore hasn’t returned as Derek Morgan inCriminal Minds: Evolutionis that he has been busy headlining his own TV show —SWATon CBS. Moore has been transparent about being open to reprising his role in the revival. However, the actor hasn’t been asked to return, andSWAThas all but taken over Moore’s schedule.Now that numerousSWATcast members have left the series ahead of the season 8 premiere, the action drama needs Moore more than ever.
Why Criminal Minds: Evolution Is Succeeding More Than CSI: Vegas
Criminal Minds: Evolution and CSI: Vegas both revived popular 2000s crime shows, but only one has been canceled.
Moore has starred as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson sinceSWATpremieredin 2017. Hondo has always been the face of the series, and he will likely continue to be for as long as the show runs. Moore must continue working onSWATnot only because he plays the main character, but also because he’s one of the few remaining original cast members left.
SWATseason 8’s cast exits indicate that CBS will hold on as tightly to Moore as possible, meaning he probably won’t have time to return inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3.
Alex Russell as Jim Street, Kenny Johnson as Dominique Luca, and Peter Onorati as Jack Mumfordaren’t expected to appear in season 8. Rochelle Aytes has also been downgraded to a recurring cast member. So,SWATseason 8’s cast exitsindicate that CBS will hold on as tightly to Moore as possible, meaning he probably won’t have time to return inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3.
Why Criminal Minds: Evolution Needs To Bring Back Morgan Sometime In The Future
Moore Hasn’t Played Morgan In 7 Years
Shemar Moore exitedCriminal Mindsduring season 11but reprised his role as Derek Morgan for the season 12 finale and season 13, episode 5. Since then, Moore has sadly been absent from the series. Even though Morgan technically isn’t with the BAU anymore, the revival still needs to find a way to bring him back (despite the actor’s busy work schedule).Moore’s character was a cornerstone of the original series,and he’s been dearly missed since his departure. Plus, Morgan and Garcia had one of the show’s best friendships, andCriminal Minds: Evolutionwould significantly benefit from their reunion.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
Cast
InCriminal Minds: Evolution, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time. Original cast members continuing their roles include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Zach Gilford joins the dynamic cast as a recurring guest star in a season-long arc.
