- The Criminal Minds series finale will air on February 19, 2020.
- Many fans are hoping Shemar Moore will return as Derek Morgan—but it doesn't look like that's in the cards.
We’ve got bad news for you, baby girls.
The final episode of Criminal Minds airs on February 19, and it’s hard to believe we’re entering our last moments with the BAU. After 15 seasons, it’s going to be impossible to say goodbye. Which is why we’re hoping they bring back some fan favorite cast members to ease the pain.
TVLine has confirmed that some beloved characters will return: Erin Strauss (Jaune Atkinson); George Foyet aka the Reaper (C. Thomas Howell); and Maeve Donovan (Beth Riesgraf) will all make an appearance. Flashbacks of Hotch (Thomas Gibson) and Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) will also be included.
If you’re noticing there’s a major name missing from this list, you are right and I’m sorry to say it’s true. Shemar Moore will not be back for a last time as Derek Morgan. We’ll give you a minute to recover.
Showrunner Erica Messer told TVLine this heartbreaking news back in January, and explained why we can’t get one more Morgan/Garcia moment for old times’ sake.
“I’ve been asked if Shemar is coming back, and it’s no,” she said. “He’s very busy shooting S.W.A.T. Again, I wanted to be able to acknowledge the history of the series, certainly in that finale, and was able to do it in a different way.”
Though he’s not mentioned as a flashback, it’s possible that he’ll be included in a similar way to Hotch and Gideon. Or, if you’re really a hopeless romantic when it comes to Morgan, you can pretend like Erica is lying and is saving a massive surprise return for the finale.
A girl can dream, right!?
Gear Up for the 'Criminal Minds' Finale
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Megan Stein is the executive editor for The Pioneer Woman, and oversees entertainment, features, and news for the website. Whether it's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, or re-watching the best '80s movies for the zillionth time, she's always here to talk about anything and everything relating to pop culture.
