Apart from Jennifer Love Hewitt, also not returning to “Criminal Minds” Season 12 is Shemar Moore, who played the role of Agent Derek Morgan in the TV series over the past 11 seasons.
Moore decided to leave the show after the 16th episode of Season 11 to pursue more opportunities outside of “Criminal Minds.”
But he returned during the first day of filming for Season 12 to express his gratitude to the rest of the cast and production staff and giving him the priceless opportunity of working with them for 11 years.
Subsequently, reports came out that Adam Rodriguez was taken in by the production team to serve as a replacement for Shemar Moore. However, it was only lately when reports confirmed that Rodriguez shall be taking on the role of Luke Alvez, who is the Fugitive Task Force leader, in light of the escape of 13 hardened criminals and serial killers during the Season 11 finale.
Accordingly, by the Season 12 premiere, Alvez would have caught eight of the 13 escaped serial killers. He will then join the BAU full-time to help track the remaining five, including the infamous murderer that uses mind-controlling drugs, Mr. Scratch.