Though it is not an indication that the show is going to be axed soon, but it may be part of the fallback strategy of the series so as not to highlight the expected absence of lead stars A.J. Cook and Jennifer Love Hewitt, who are both on maternity leaves at this time
Since “Criminal Minds” already has an upcoming spin-off series in “Beyond Borders” where it already lost Anna Gunn from its original cast as a result, the show already has the luxury of different interesting stories including a possible crossover or two with the spin-off series.
Although fans would have wanted a couple more episodes for “Criminal Minds” Season 11 like they got so used to, that still does not lessen their excitement on the upcoming 11th season of the series when it goes back to the big screen on September 30.
According to reports early in June, main character Jennifer Jareau or JJ, played by actress A.J. Cook, will have to be conspicuously absent on several episodes of the upcoming Season 11 of “Criminal Minds” before she comes back again for the remainder of the season.
According to Erica Messer, executive producer of “Criminal Minds,” the writers are now working on several plotlines so that they can write around Cook’s absence using the series finale of Season 10 as groundwork.