Fans of the long-running police procedural television series “Criminal Minds” will have to say goodbye again to one main character when the show returns for its 11th season on September 30. This confirmation came from Dr. Spencer Reid himself, actor Matthew Gray Gubler.
Speaking to Zap2It, Gubler says that he will be directing an upcoming episode on Season 11 where a BAU team member will be making an exit, but he was very secretive of who will be making an exodus this season.
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Kate Callahan already left the show after its 10th season so she could spend more time at home with her newly born son Atticus James.
Cast member A.J. Cook has already given birth way ahead of Jennifer Love Hewitt, so executive producer Erica Messer revealed that Cook’s absence would only mean that her character Agent JJ would only be missing the first five or so episodes of Seasons 11 of “Criminal Minds” and that she will definitely be back for the rest of the season.
That leaves fans with only Thomas Gibson’s Aaron Hotchner, Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan, Joe Mantegna’s David Rossi, Kristen Vangsness’ Penelope Garcia, and Gubler’s Spencer Reid to choose from on who will be departing the show, albeit temporarily.
Although reports claim that it won’t be Gubler, as it would be a very tough job for someone to direct his own parting episode. Plus, according to Fashion & Style, the 35-year-old actor talked about wanting his character to have more confidence and be less socially-awkward on the show, implying that Gubler is sticking with the show for the long haul.
Cast members, writers, and producers of the CBS hit show are still being mum about the details of the upcoming season, but the synopsis for the Season 11 premiere episode already tells a lot.
Titled “The Job,” the premiere episode of Season 11 will start with Hotchner finding a replacement for Callahan and that the team will be dealing with hunting a serial killer, who has left behind evidence that shows someone is out for some vengeance.
Showrunner Messer said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the upcoming season will focus more on the character’s personal lives especially Gubler’s Dr. Reid who is bound to have a very dramatic and disturbing start in the premiere of the newest season. Reid’s love life will also be a highlight in the upcoming season.
Messer had also stated that for the show’s 11th season, she would really want to have old characters make a guest appearances particularly eyeing Spencer’s mother Dr. Diana Reid, played by Jane Lynch.
According to reports, fan favorite Agent Emily Prentiss, played by Paget Brewster was supposedly coming back to the show. The 46-year-old actress was a main cast member up until the show’s sixth season when she and Cook were released from their contracts by CBS in a cost-cutting move.
CBS’ decision was met with a lot of complaints from fans, hence the network was forced to re-hire both actresses and keep them until the following season. But Brewster then left the show after the seventh season with her character moving to Paris for good, although she briefly reprised her role during the show’s 200th episode back in Season 9.
According to reports, it was Brewster herself who admitted that she wanted to come back in the series especially now that there’s actually a spot for her while Cook is on maternity leave. Sadly, due to scheduling conflicts, it simply didn’t work out.
Regarding Callahan’s replacement, CBS has confirmed that “Archer” actress Aisha Tyler would be coming into the show for a recurring role this season. Tyler will portray Dr. Tara Lewis, a forensic psychologist joining BAU replacing Agent Kate Callahan. EW has the exclusive first look of “The Talk” host in her new character.
After reading another article, I’m thinking the one to leave might just be Cruz.
Tonight we found out that it is Derek that is leaving. He will be missed a lot. He is the real action guy and they need another on like him. The others are old and the women don’t do much action either. Love Brewster so it is good to see she will be guest staring on the next episode. Taylor should do something with that hair or wig. It is awful. Also she seems like a dead head. I am a fan of hers , but just don’t feel her usual good acting in this show.
It is hard to figure who would be the other character to leave the show after Kate. I mean Rossi came back for unfinished business. Hotchner loves his job too much and he could not leave it no matter what and he came back fighting the FBI putting him into retirement. Morgan looks like he would die if he left the FBI and Garcia loves it. JJ is coming back after the 1st five episodes. So this is really a hard choice. Also Prentiss will be back. So who will it be?
I know if it is any of those. I will be pissed. I like them all. I know I did not say Reid because we all know he signed a contract to be on the show as long as possible. This is not good information to try to figure out who it is. I hope they let us know soon.
Exactly! It should not be hotch or reid. But they should reveal who is leaving so that t
Exactly! It should not be hotch or reid. Do u think the exit is permanent??
If its gonna be Hotchner or Reid, I am not gonna watch it anymore. Why do they want to do that? Whoever is leaving the show, they should reveal their name. So the fans can atleast prepare themselves and is this exit temporary? or permanent?
Please don’t take Garcia and Morgan I like how the are best friends I like all the regulars please don’t take none of the regulars they make the best team!
I think it would be Morgan but going to a new series like criminal minds a. Spin off
Instead of joggling with the actors the show should better hire some really good writers. The scripts are getting more and more primitive and predictable.
I can not stand cast member Aisha Tyler. She is not a very good actress and her character is boring. I am a big fan, but if the show plans on keeping her, I will be no longer watching.
It is interesting how personally invested The fans are in the characters on criminal minds ( including myself). People are already stressed about the impending exit of one of the regular team member.
There’s been an indication that the character of Dr. Reid Will lose some of his social awkwardness and perhaps have a new love interest. His awkwardness and eccentricities are appealing. Hopefully the departure of one of the team members and the changes in Dr. Reed’s character will not lead to the demise of this program.
I hope the person leaving will be Joe Mantegna’s character David Rossi. His character is getting so old (as is he). Shamar Moore/Derek Morgen should be give more screen time as he is funny, sexy, modern and he interacts with all the cast so well.
I agree…the only one that would make sense to leave would be Rossi. Any other cast member would be a kind of suicide for the show. I would never watch it again and I have been watching since day one!
I’m so upset I don’t want anyone to leave. If this would happen I’m done watching the show
I need them to keep Reid I need them to keep Hotchner I need them to keep Morgan
I don’t want to.see Morgan to leave the show. If they take him off I will not watch the show anymore. Morgan and Red make the show. along with the other team members.
I really like the addition of Aisha Taylor. The only thing is, can’t the show afford a better wig? I like the short hair but that is a butt ugly wig. She deserves better!
I love Criminal Minds it is my favorite show . I have been watching it forever . I love all tgexcharacters and will sad if anyone of them go off the show !
I love, love, love the show..The team works…To remove any of the actors would be a disaster…the team fits perfectly.. The actors portray the FBI so well. I’ve watched the show so long, it’s like watching family. I even played the game on the internet..and got a very high score. They haven’t lasted this long by accident, someone created a winner, don’t mess up now.
Nooooo!! It’s enough that you took Prentiss away. :( Please let them all stay. ??
It’s going to be morgan.i don’t want him leaving it won’t be the same
I think it is horrible that they would get rid of any character especially Shemar he is one of the best I do not see myself watching it anymore with out the character why don’t they fire the writer who decided this mess
For the love of Christmas, the Saints (actual Saints…not the football team), and everything you hold as holy, do not take Shermar Moore (aka, Derrick Morgan) from the show!!!!
Hotchner, Garcia, J.J., & Reid, along with Moore make up the solid foundation of the series.
I started watching the show because Mandy Patinkin (whom I have loved in every character he’s played since I first saw him on ‘Six Feet Under) was on it. I almost decided to quit watching ‘Criminal Minds’ after Patinkin left…
But, here I am…not only have I continued to watch the series… I’m begging for Shermar Moore to stay on the show.
~ Lea H. ~
p.s. DAMN!!! Derrick Morgan is HOT!!!!!
OMG, you guys need to stop I understand you have to keep everybody on the edge of the seat but lol you about to give my 96 year old grandma a heart attack ( figure speaking ) that Shamar is looking like he’s not going to be on the show.
If Moore leaves the show I don’t think I could watch! He definitely makes the show work!
I do not want to lose any of the characters. The only one i MIGHT understand is Rossi. Just so he can go back to write. Anyone else and I am done with the show. I have NEVER missed an episode, but keep my people or I will!!!!!!!!
Please don’t kill off Shermar Moore the show just want be the same. Him and Garcia are great together. Been watching since day one. Love this show
I only watch because I love Shemar! Decisions…
I will never watch the the show again if Moore goes off I love him the show will not be the same
I have watched all the shows many times I watch reruns eevery time they come on TV. I do not understand why anyone needs to leave especially Morgan. Not crazy about Aisha Taylor. I will accept her leaving if someone must. I stopped watching NCIS when Ziva left. Will not even watch reruns. Will do the same if Morgan leaves. Why fix something if it is not broken. I will definitely not watch spin off either.
If Morgan leaves I won’t whatch show anymore. He was great!!!
Never a show like Criminal Minds.To take away any of the six main characters is a blow to the show..Prentiss needs to come back as well. The cast members are such a wonderful family ..they have a way of pulling the veiwers into the hurt, emotion,happiness etc of each episode..even the other shows that try to spin off Criminal Minds can’t hold a light to this show..it is a success..please don’t mess it up..we the veiwers love the show..I was a late starter for watching the show..I am a fan to say the least..I took to Netflix to watch all seasons to catch up..bring back Shemar..
That was just fu**ing wrong and stupid y’all let Morgan go, don’t get me wrong I Love them all but why Morgan, I guess I’ll keep watching the old show’s that’s on ion television. Come on Matthew. Stop the madness. FIX IT
I don’t intend to watch any more that they have discontinued Morgan’s role. Why?
So tbis is the season that Spence left. I liked him
Now I heard Garcia is leaving the show now that Derrick got fired
I love the show so does my mom 85 years old . As with everyone else we hate the character ‘s leaving one by one . It’s just so difficult to get used to someone knew . We love Dr Reid , he’s so sensitive and in many ways the baby they all look after .