Cameras Never Catch Their Full Faces—But Everyone Feels the Spark Between Kirsten Vangsness and Shemar Moore 🔥
Beginning of a Connection
When Kirsten Vangsness walked into the audition room for Criminal Minds in 2005, little did she know she was about to form one of television’s most beloved duos — with Shemar Moore, who played SSA Derek Morgan while she became Penelope Garcia.
Their characters’ rapport — Morgan’s deep-voiced “Baby Girl” and Garcia’s sparkling retorts — captured audiences immediately. As Vangsness recounted, “Oh my gosh. We have chemistry.”
Early on, the writers took note. What began as a technical-analyst side role evolved into a central relationship — built on friendship, banter, loyalty — that anchored the show’s emotional core.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
