8 ‘Criminal Minds’ Stars Who Exited Early: Their Reasons Revealed

Long running shows often evolve as actors step away and new faces arrive, and ‘Criminal Minds’ is no exception. Across its many seasons, several key cast members left sooner than viewers expected, and each departure came with specific circumstances that shaped the series on and off screen.

Here are eight notable stars who exited earlier than anticipated, along with clear details on when they left, why they made that choice or why the change happened, and how the show wrote their characters out so the BAU could keep moving.

Mandy Patinkin

Mandy Patinkin originated Supervisory Special Agent Jason Gideon and appeared through the first two seasons. He left the series in 2007 before season three began, explaining that the show’s violent subject matter had taken a personal toll and that he could not continue under those conditions. Production rewrote plans for season three and addressed his sudden absence within the story.

The character was said to have left the BAU without warning, and Joe Mantegna joined as David Rossi to fill the leadership gap. Years later the writers provided closure when they revealed Gideon’s off screen death during a case, which confirmed his fate and allowed the team to reflect on his legacy.

Lola Glaudini

Lola Glaudini played Agent Elle Greenaway during season one and the early part of season two. She exited in 2006 with reports noting a desire to return to New York and differences about the direction of her role. The production accommodated the decision and planned a narrative transition that fit the arc the character had been experiencing.

Within the show, Elle struggled after being attacked in her home and later made a questionable use of force. She resigned from the BAU and left her badge and firearm behind, which closed her story cleanly while setting up space for the next team addition.

Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson portrayed Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner from the pilot through the start of season twelve. In 2016 he departed the series after an altercation on set led to disciplinary action and the termination of his contract. The change required a rapid rewrite to explain why the longtime leader would no longer appear.

Writers placed Hotchner and his son under federal protection due to the threat posed by a recurring antagonist, and the character stepped away from the BAU to safeguard his family. The team reorganized its leadership on screen, which allowed the series to continue without the unit chief at the forefront.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore played Agent Derek Morgan for eleven seasons before leaving in 2016. He stated that he wanted to rest after a demanding run and pursue other opportunities, along with spending more time with family. His exit was planned in advance so production could craft a send off that matched the character’s long service.

On the show, Morgan survived a kidnapping and torture storyline and chose to step back after the birth of his son with Savannah. He returned for select guest appearances to assist the team on high stakes cases, and he later led the cast of the separate series ‘S.W.A.T.’ as his next major project.

A. J. Cook

A. J. Cook’s Jennifer Jareau was a core presence through season five, after which the network reduced the cast for cost and creative reasons in 2010. She briefly returned in early season six to wrap up ongoing threads and then rejoined as a series regular in season seven when the production brought her back full time.

The show explained her absence by assigning JJ to a high level liaison role at the Pentagon, which fit her skill set and connections. Her return to the BAU was presented as a reassignment that restored the team’s media liaison and profiler, keeping continuity with her previous experience.

Paget Brewster

Paget Brewster joined in season two as Emily Prentiss and initially departed in 2012 after season seven to pursue other projects. Earlier changes to the ensemble had already shifted her status, and when she chose to leave, the writers built a conclusion that respected a multi season arc while leaving the door open.

In the story, Prentiss survived a targeted campaign by arms dealer Ian Doyle and later accepted an offer to work overseas. She exited the BAU for an international posting, and in later years she returned to the main cast when circumstances and scheduling aligned, providing stability in subsequent seasons.

Jeanne Tripplehorn

Jeanne Tripplehorn entered the series in season eight as linguistics expert Alex Blake and departed after season nine. Her two year commitment concluded in 2014, and she moved on to other work as the show prepared another round of cast changes that aligned with new storylines.

The season nine finale showed Blake choosing to resign from the BAU after a traumatic case that tested her limits. She left her credentials and walked away from the unit, and the writers used that moment to reset the team’s roster for the following year.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt joined for season ten as Agent Kate Callahan and exited at the end of that season. She stepped away to take maternity leave and focus on family, and production integrated that real life change into the narrative so the character’s departure felt organic.

On screen, Kate learned she was expecting a child while still recovering from an earlier abduction case that affected her family. She made the decision to leave the BAU to raise her daughter and prepare for the new baby, which provided a straightforward and compassionate conclusion to her time with the team.

Tell us which exit surprised you most and share your thoughts in the comments.