Why Criminal Minds Shuffles its Cast So Frequently

While he left in season 3 and was replaced by David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) it wasn’t until season 10 in episode 13, “Nelson’s Sparrow,” that Gideon was killed off-screen by a serial killer, making it impossible for him to return in the reboot.

Likewise, Criminal Minds writer and producer Ed Bernero revealed to LA Times in 2006 that Lola Glaudini, who played Elle Greenaway in season 1 and 2 , ended up leaving the show as Glaudini was unhappy living in Los Angeles where the show was filmed.

Cast Changes by Force

One of the most shocking departures from the show, to this day, has to be the exit of Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson). During the filming of season 12, it was reported that Gibson allegedly kicked writer-producer, Virgil Williams. After the incident Gibson said in a statement released to EW. “I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and we always will.” However, as this was Gibson’s second incident on set after he underwent anger management classes for pushing an assistant director in 2010, he was sent on a two-episode suspension before an investigation decided he would not return to the show. Fans started a campaign “No Hotch, No Watch,” but eventually moved on as Hotch was written out by going into witness protection to save his son Jack from a stalker. He was initially replaced by Special Agent Stephen Walker (Damon Gupton) but it didn’t work out and his character ended up being killed in a car crash. It’s suggested Gupton’s departure was to make way for Daniel Henney who came from the Criminal Minds spinoff, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

Jennifer Jareau, better known as JJ (A.J. Cook) was abruptly written out of the series alongside Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) when CBS made a creative decision which was linked to cutting costs and bringing in FBI trainee Ashley Seaver (Rachel Nichols). However, the uproar was massive, and Nichols was written out after just 13 episodes and Cook and Brewster were eventually written back into the show. With JJ ending up changing her job from media liaison to a full-on profiler, a role she has continued in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Cast Changes by Choice

Paget Brewster replaced Glaudini in season two, however, her role hasn’t been consistent in the series. Brewster stated that after being fired alongside Cook in season 5 her heart wasn’t in it, which led to her second departure in season seven when Prentiss resigned to accept a job at Interpol. Her replacement was Dr. Alex Blake (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who left after two seasons due to contract negotiations falling apart. She was later replaced by Kate Callahan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) for one season in season 10 as Hewitt got pregnant with her second child and wanted to spend more time with her family. Her departure saw the final return of Prentiss when she took over as Unit Chief from Hotchner.

The final shocking departure was one no one ever wanted to happen, the exit of heartthrob Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) who decided to leave after 11 seasons as he felt that every aspect of Derek Morgan had been explored and that it was the perfect time to move onto other projects, namely S.W.A.T. While we understood the idea that there would be no more flirtatious exchanges between platonic friends Morgan and Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) was heartbreaking.