Thomas Gibson fired from Criminal Minds TV series on CBS season 12. (Photo: ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)
Will Hotch be kicked out of the B.A.U.? One day after he was suspended for allegedly kicking co-executive producer Virgil Williams in a confrontation over creative differences, star Thomas Gibson has been fired from the upcoming 12th season of Criminal Minds on CBS, Deadline reports. Check out his response, below. We will update when details are released about the character’s exit from the storyline.
Gibson has starred as Unit Chief and Senior Supervisory Special Agent Special Agent Aaron Hotchner since the series premiered in 2005. According to the press outlet, the actor had undergone anger management counseling some years back, after a reported altercation with assistant director Ian Woolf. The long-running procedural drama is already facing its first season without Supervisory Special Agent Derek Morgan, played by fan-favorite Shemar Moore, who left at the end of season 11.
The Wrap reports Gibson’s response to his termination, as well as a joint statement from CBS Television Studios and ABC Studios:
“I love ‘Criminal Minds’ and have put my heart and soul into it for the last twelve years,” [Gibson] said in a statement given to TheWrap. “I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won’t be possible now. I would just like to say thank you to the writers, producers, actors, our amazing crew, and, most importantly, the best fans that a show could ever hope to have.”
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“Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from ‘Criminal Minds,’” CBS Television Studios and production company ABC Studios jointly told TheWrap on Friday. “Creative details for how the character’s exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date.”
The matter was officially taken up with CBS after the writer complained to his agent, we were told yesterday. Gibson, who was also directing the episode, was put on ice for two episodes.
For his part, Gibson said he kicked the staffer in retaliation after he became “aggressive.”
“There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement,” the actor told TheWrap in a statement Thursday. “I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and always will.”
A person with knowledge of the incident told us that there were no injuries or bruising.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Criminal Minds? With both Hotch and Morgan off the show, do you still plan to watch the upcoming 12th season? Tell us.
I am so sorry to see SSA D. Morgan and BAU Manager A. Hotchner leave the show. But I would be devastated to see Dr. Spencer Reid go. I couldn’t watch it anymore if that happened.
I have been watching this show from the very start and it has always been one that I rush home for on Qwdnesday nite to see. It was hard enough when Sharmar Moore left I cryed so hard and now that have fired Thomas Gibson from the show. WOW ,Why does the fans have to suffer? Everyone has disagreement and why could this now been worked out. They could have did like the NBA does and just fine him not take him off the show. I like the other actors on the show but Haotch and Morgan held the team… Read more »
Please bring Gibson back, it is hard losing two major characters at the same time. While violence should not be tolerated it does take two, and it does seem that there was some provocation and nobody was hurt. Thomas Gibson plays such a pivotal role in this show, do not know if I will continue watching without him.
A change in characters once in a while is ok in some shows. Not this one. Criminal Minds has a chemistry with its cast, unlike any that I have seen in other shows. Most of my friends watch the show and will not be watching the new season. I usually do not stop watching a show I really like. I really think my interest in criminal minds is over. Too many changes at once–U might as well change the name. Thomas Gibson is one of those rare actors that can wear many faces. When producers, or writers or those working… Read more »
I will no longer watch this show without him. I feel the writer should have been let go for being so childish. He didn’t even have a bruise !! Come on now really ?? Your going to put the show in jeperdy because of a little kick ?!?!
I love Criminal Minds but without Hotch or Morgan I feel that the series is doomed. I will not be watching this show unless Hotch is brought back.
Criminal Minds is one of my favorite shows to watch. I have watched it from the start. Although I like everyone Hotch was my favorite and now that he is gone it’s gonna be sad to watch. If he had a problem in the beginning and they were aware of it why let him go now. I hope I will be able to watch the show again with two main characters gone. But like the song says “Everything has to come to a end”
If the allegations of kicking are correct, he would’ve been immediately suspended, and if found to have done it, terminated. There’s no room for violence in the workplace
Hotch has become my favorite member of the cast. Without him, I won’t even want to watch the program, anymore. CBS, should reinstate the star of their series, and allow him to play to the end.
Violence should not be rewarded. Not even for your entertainment.
Criminal minds won’t be the same without Thomas gibson. We all make mistakes and sometimes we throw a temper tantrum. Sounds like Thomas was defending himself. I can see the suspension but not the firing. It was looking to be a great season with Paget back and the addition of adam. Now if Thomas is not reinstated, you have lost this fan. He is the rock of the show and I won’t bother watching.
This is not his first act of aggression.
Maybe. I love all the characters. There will definitely be a difference without Hotch
I’ll give it a shot. I have always loved Garcia (I would love to be the computer whiz she is) and Reid, and they are the only two left that have been there straight through from the beginning. And I think Rossi is awesome! With Emily coming back for the first shows, it should be good. It won’t be the same with Hotch AND Morgan gone. . . we’ll see if it can hold the ratings.
i doubt there will be a season 13. Too many good character exits, even with the return of Paget Brewster, cloud the hearts of the fans. I am greatful for the last 11 seasons!
Self defense is one thing, but if he’s had past anger management issues, I have no sympathy for him. Hopefully, he can learn from this.
He could be hard to cast after this, because productions have to get insurance on actors. I think it is a shame. I like his work, but I completely understand the studios’ decision to terminate his contract. They could not risk subjecting their other employees to future problems of this nature.
I agree, He’s been very good on the show. If I worked as a casting director I wouldn’t want to cast people with histories of violence and anger management issues either.
Like you, I hope he learns from this, Anne. Gibson is a talented actor. He has made Hotch very real throughout the long life of this series.
An absolute shame. They better find someone to replace him. David Caruso or William Petersen? Simon Baker?
Oh, Baker please. To me, Caruso doesn’t feel like a good fit on Criminal Minds. Not sure about Petersen. I keep hoping the show will throw piles of money at Shemar Moore and bring him back at least for this season.
What about David James Elliot (of JAG fame), or maybe Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver! )?
I don’t know if either would be a good fit, but maybe worth a shot! Maybe Christopher Meloni, although I don’t know if he’d be interested in something so similar to SVU. Or even Liev Schreiber, but he might be too busy with Ray Donovan.
Ooo, I’d love to see Richard Dean Anderson back on TV. I loved him on Stargate: SG-1!