Derek Morgan’s return in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 has just become more likely. After its successful debut year, Paramount+ is bringing back the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) for its sophomore outing. All cast members who have returned are expected to partake in the next iteration of the police procedural. Meanwhile, despite the lack of any official update, there is still hope that both Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney can finally make their much-awaited comebacks as Dr. Spencer Reid and SSA Matt Simmons, respectively. A brand-new update, however, suggests that another original cast member from the CBS series may end up appearing.
Played by Shemar Moore, Morgan was part of the original cast when Criminal Minds debuted in 2005. Throughout the next decade, he played an integral role in the BAU’s operations. Aside from his expertise in profiling, Morgan was also notable for his strong relationship with his co-workers. However, Moore left Criminal Minds during season 11 and the show was forced to write out the character. Narratively, the profiler decided that it was time to retire and focus on his growing family. In real life, the actor went on to spearhead a different CBS series in SWAT.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2’s Delay Makes A Derek Morgan Cameo Possible
After an unexpected cancelation, CBS decided to reverse course on the fate of SWAT by renewing it for a final year. Despite Moore’s continued commitment to the police procedural, this just actually increased the chances of him coming back to the continuing Criminal Minds franchise. When the actor left the FBI-fronted show, he became busy with his own project. That didn’t stop him from making a couple of cameos, with the writers keeping the door open for a potential return to the bureau and reunion with the rest of the BAU.
Recently, it has also been revealed that Criminal Minds: Evolution is indefinitely delayed due to the ongoing Writers Guild Strike of 2023. Given that, it’s possible that by the time he has finished filming SWAT‘s final season, the Paramount+ is still at least in production, which would allow him to at least make a guest appearance. As seen in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, the BAU is short-staffed after both Reid and Simmons have been separated from their team. After Emily Prentiss’ and his team’s capture of Elias Voit, perhaps the FBI would be willing to provide the unit with the funds and personnel that they need to function properly.
Why Derek Morgan Needs To Return In Criminal Minds: Evolution
With the majority of the core Criminal Minds cast already involved in the Paramount+ show, there are very few characters that it can bring back to drum up nostalgia. Considering Thomas Gibson’s exit from Criminal Minds, it’s highly unlikely that he will be invited to reprise his role as Aaron Hotchner in the streaming show. Other than him, Moore’s Morgan is the only remaining notable profiler from the CBS run that fans have not seen for many years. If Criminal Minds: Evolution also finds a way to make the scheduling work, perhaps the project can also stage the much-anticipated reunion between Reid and Morgan.
