Can fans expect a future for Criminal Minds at this point?

That answer is yes! According to Friday's report from TV Line, the CBS drama has indeed been renewed for a 12th season. While there's been some speculation for a while, the series has apparently garnered an average of 9 million viewers.

It seemed like there would've been doubts about a renewal mainly because Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) announced last March that he was leaving the series. When he opened up to TV Line on this decision, he said he just had to do what was best for his career.

"I didn't direct, I didn't write, but I grew, and I'm leaving because I want to continue to grow as an actor," Moore said. "I'm leaving to see what else I'm capable of."

The actor also mentioned that there's more going on than just his professional life; he also wants to focus on what's going on at home.

"I need balance in my life," he said. "I love what I do for a living, I love it from 'action' to 'cut,' but I also want to walk my dogs, travel, get married, have kids. I want balance, and it's hard to do with the schedule that we have."

It was an emotional decision, but Moore couldn't be more grateful for his time on the series.

"When those elevator doors close, they're going to cry, they're going to be mad, they're going to scream at their TVs," Moore said. "But hopefully they're going to feel my heart in the sense of this was important to me, and it's my thank you back to them. It's definitely a hug to my Criminal Minds family."

Criminal Minds Season 12 is expected to premiere this fall on CBS.

Tags: Criminal Minds television CBS