Will S.W.A.T Star Shemar Moore Return to 'Criminal Minds'?

Ever since the Criminal Minds: Evolution reboot first began airing in 2022, fans of the TV franchise had high hopes to get the entire BAU back together. While it didn't seem to be the case at the time, Paget Brewster is revealing whether one beloved actor could make a grand return.

Viewers of the original Criminal Minds remember seeing Shemar Moore portray SSA Derek Morgan for 11 seasons. But in 2016, fans were shock when the actor left the show to lead the CBS procedural drama S.W.A.T. While that series had a lot of twists and turns, it officially ends after eight seasons on CBS on May 16.

So, with this in mind ... does this mean there's a chance Shemar could make his way over to the world of Criminal Minds: Evolution? When Paget (who plays BAU section chief Emily Prentiss) spoke with Good Housekeeping to promote Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 (season 18 overall), she revealed her thoughts about if Shemar could reprise his role on the series.

"I don't know!" she exclusively answered. "That's something that I have no control. I mean, none of us have any control over any situation ... I don't know if he would come back. I don't know if he's got another show. I'm excited to see what the future holds, but I don't know if it's with us."

Paget Brewster and Shemar Moore on Criminal Minds.

Even though Shemar hasn't exactly revealed what's next in his career, Paget did note she was disappointed about S.W.A.T. ending after almost a decade of being on television.

"I'm bummed out for him that S.W.A.T. was canceled, because that was his dream and it was doing really well," she added. "I know he was happy, and I know he's stoic — but he's hurt. It’s a heartbreaking thing to suddenly not be doing your show with your friends and this group of people that you support."

All that to say, we know fans wouldn't mind if he came back to portray Derek Morgan again on Criminal Minds: Evolution. After all, the reaction to Matthew Gray Gubler's return as Dr. Spencer Reid has been monumental ... and no one even knows which season 3 episode he'll show up in!

Nevertheless, when it comes to Paget, she said she certainly has no regrets about taking time off from the franchise after season 7 before returning in a full-time manner in season 12. And maybe Shemar will feel the same...

"I was there for six years and then gone for four," she concluded. "I did a bunch of comedies, and then I came back with no regrets. It was great for me, but maybe Shemar will be like, 'You know what?' I got it out of my system and want to return."

As for what Shemar has said regarding a return, he did share in 2024 he was open to it.

"All I need is an invitation," he told TV Insider at the time. "I never forget where I came from. I’ve gone back to the soap opera that started my career three or four times. It started with The Young and the Restless, and then it was Criminal Minds. And that’s my evolution. Without The Young and the Restless, there’s no Criminal Minds. And without Criminal Minds, there’s no S.W.A.T. If they asked me to come visit, I would definitely do that."

We'll certainly be crossing our fingers to see Shemar back on our screens again!

Adrianna Freedman

Associate Editor

As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.