Why did Blake Leave Criminal Minds?
The popular American police procedural crime drama television series, Criminal Minds, has been a household name since its debut in 2005. Over the years, the show has had its fair share of cast changes, and one of the most notable departures was that of Kirsten Vangsness, who played the lovable and quirky Penelope Garcia, the BAU’s techie genius. But did you know that Reed Diamond, who played Jason Gideon’s rival, Blake Thatcher, left the show after a single season?
The Reason Behind the Departure
In a Hollywood Reporter interview, Reed Diamond revealed that the reason for his departure was due to creative differences between him and the show’s writers. Diamond stated that he was supposed to be a recurring character, but the writers eventually decided to make him a series regular, which affected the storyline and his character’s development.
Not Enough Screen Time
One of the main reasons behind Diamond’s departure was not enough screen time. As a recurring character, he was supposed to appear in a few episodes, but the writers’ decision to make him a series regular meant that his character was getting lost in the mix. Diamond expressed his frustration in an Entertainment Weekly interview, saying, "I was just getting tired of not having anything to do. I was just walking around and looking cute for 12 hours a day."
Lack of Chemistry with Other Characters
Another reason for Diamond’s departure was the lack of chemistry between him and other characters. In an E! News interview, Diamond admitted that he didn’t really connect with the other cast members, which made his character’s interactions feel forced and unnatural. He said, "I just didn’t click with the cast. I didn’t think we were a good group of people to be together."
Table: Why Blake Left Criminal Minds
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Creative Differences | Conflicting opinions between Diamond and the show’s writers on his character’s development. |
| Not Enough Screen Time | Diamond felt underutilized and didn’t have enough to do. |
| Lack of Chemistry with Other Characters | He didn’t connect with the other cast members, making interactions feel forced. |
Aftermath of Leaving the Show
After Diamond’s departure, his character, Blake Thatcher, was written out of the show. The storyline had Jason Gideon (played by Mandy Patinkin) and Blake butting heads, which ultimately led to Blake‘s exit. In an interview with TV Guide, Mandy Patinkin stated that Blake‘s character was not important to the show’s narrative, which made his departure relatively smooth.
Fan Reaction
Fans of the show were shocked by Diamond’s departure, and some even felt that his character was essential to the show’s dynamics. On Twitter, fans expressed their disappointment, saying things like "What a shame, I loved Blake!" and "Blake’s departure is a huge blow to the show!".
Conclusion
Reed Diamond‘s departure from Criminal Minds was largely due to creative differences, not enough screen time, and lack of chemistry with other characters. Despite his relatively short time on the show, Blake Thatcher left a mark on the series, and fans still remember him fondly.
