Agent Derek Morgan, played by Shemar Moore, bid the American police procedural drama TV series “Criminal Minds” goodbye after the 16th episode of its Season 11 early this year.
The actor decided to move on from the show after being a series regular for 11 years. The TV series, however, did not kill off his character and simply allowed him to move out of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI in order to ensure the safety of his wife and their newly-born baby some place else.
Derek Morgan is a fan-favorite character so seeing him go disappointed a lot of fans of “Criminal Minds.”
As a result, speculations have been swirling wildly on the internet that Shemar Moore might decide to come back to reprise his role in Season 12 of “Criminal Minds” since Derek Morgan did not die anyway.
The rumors further heightened when executive producer Erica Messer hinted of a possible comeback of Shemar Moore on the upcoming Season 12 of “Criminal Minds” due to return to CBS on September 28, 2016.
The speculations have actually overshadowed the entry and debut of veteran TV actor Adam Rodriguez on “Criminal Minds” beginning on Season 12. But he will come in not to replace Derek Morgan with the BAU but reportedly as a member of the special task force formed to apprehend the serial killers that managed to escape during the Season 11 finale episode.
Rejoining the cast members
So when Shemar Moore decided to show up during the first day of filming of “Criminal Minds” Season 12, both the fans and the film set turned crazy.
Many got excited on the possibility that Derek Morgan may indeed return to the upcoming 12th season of the police procedural drama TV series.
But as it turned out, Shemar Moore returned to the set not to do any acting at all, but only to bear gifts for the cast and crew. The actor delivered the gifts during the first day of filming so that everyone would be there and it is his way of expressing his appreciation to everyone for making him and his character Derek Morgan a fan-favorite in “Criminal Minds,” reports the Inquisitr.
Moore came to the set at about the time when everyone was doing the table read so he was quite sure that everyone was there.
His gifts to the cast and crew were all watches whose faces all have his initials and the line ‘Always Time,’ which is a comment about him always being late in the set. He said that he wanted his former co-workers to always have a part of him with them wherever they are.
He also did not say anything about rumors of him reprising his Derek Morgan character in “Criminal Minds” Season 12.
Newcomer helps out in promotion
Adam Rodriguez is quite a welcome addition to the “Criminal Minds” Season 12 cast of characters as a new series regular.
Apart from being a CBS veteran who is coming onboard the show at a time of transition, he can pretty much adjust to whatever the situation or roles require of him. He is described by critics as an actor who can play a variety of speeds, notes Cartermatt.
Rodriguez can be serious when the situation calls for it and he can also be funny and lighthearted at others. Best of all, he also helps out in promoting the show at every chance he can get like he is a veteran of the show but only a newcomer in reality.
Showrunner Erica Messer confirmed that the reason why they did not kill off Shemar Moore’s character is because they have left the door open just in case he decides to return to “Criminal Minds” and the show is still airing.
Messer also added that even if they have taken on Adam Rodriguez, an alum of “CSI: Miami” for 11 seasons, his character is not actually a direct replacement to Derek Morgan in the BAU as he will reportedly be part of a task force created to round up the inmates who escaped during the Season 11 finale.