Uncovering the Intriguing Bond Between Shemar Moore and Kirsten Vangsness Beyond Criminal Minds

Derek Morgan (played by Shemar Moore) and Penelope Garcia (played by Kirsten Vangsness) portray a strong platonic relationship on the television show Criminal Minds. However, fans wonder if Moore and Vangsness are friends in real life. Criminal Minds captivated audiences for over 15 seasons, with its ensemble cast of characters being a key factor in its popularity. Derek, a longstanding member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), serves as the team's muscle. He often handles physically demanding tasks and confronts intimidating suspects.

Within the BAU, Derek's closest friend is Penelope. Their relationship stands out on television because it is both intimate and platonic, showcasing a deep and genuine bond between a man and a woman. Penelope has appeared in every season of Criminal Minds, including the continuation on Paramount Plus. She is a technical analyst and communications officer, bringing her expertise as a former hacker to the team. Penelope's unwavering optimism and emotional nature make her character memorable, as she consistently delivers impactful quotes on the show. While Criminal Minds showcases various friendships, the dynamic between Derek and Penelope is particularly enjoyable, thanks to the realistic performances by Moore and Vangsness.

Shemar Moore And Kirsten Vangsness' Friendship Started At The First Table Read

Moore and Vangsness formed an instant friendship when they first read together for Criminal Minds. Initially meant for just one episode, Vangsness chose to stay and watch a mandatory workplace harassment video with the main cast, joking and conversing with Moore throughout. This connection did not go unnoticed by production, resulting in Vangsness getting more lines for the shoot.

The vibrant chemistry they found during the table read only heightened during filming. Vangsness herself admits, "Oh, my gosh. We have chemistry." Derek and Penelope share a risqué sense of humor and engage in playful banter that might appear flirtatious but is actually a reflection of their incredibly close friendship. Derek affectionately calls Penelope "Baby Girl" and she frequently expresses her love for him. Their on-screen dynamic is proof of their genuine friendship, making them one of the most authentic workplace relationships on television.

The Entire Criminal Minds Main Cast Is Close In Real Life

Moore and Vangsness are not the sole actors on Criminal Minds who share a strong real-life bond. In fact, the majority of the cast is very close off-screen. According to Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), the cast is more than just friends, stating, "We're all very attached — and somewhat cheesy…" They even have a playful mock award ceremony called the Goobie Awards. This camaraderie among the actors is evident in their on-screen chemistry, which has managed to keep Criminal Minds engaging throughout its 15 seasons.

Interestingly, Brewster herself found love within the cast, thanks to Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid), who introduced her to her future husband, Steve Damstra. The atmosphere on set is described as being like a family, complete with love, arguments, and strong friendships. This familial dynamic could very well be the reason why Derek and Penelope's relationship comes across as so authentic. The characters' dynamic resembles that of siblings, which can be attributed to the close friendship shared by Moore and Vangsness beyond their roles on Criminal Minds.