The staff of Criminal Minds is speaking out. Writer Virgil Williams recently addressed cast member Thomas Gibson’s departure from the CBS TV series, EW reports.
Earlier this year, Gibson allegedly kicked Williams on set. The actor was soon fired from the crime drama. Since, several new cast members have been added to season 12, including Adam Rodriguez and Damon Gupton.
During a recent film school workshop, Williams said the transition after Gibson’s departure has not been smooth:
It hasn’t been smooth. It was very abrupt. But we tried to do it seamlessly and move on. We’re going to keep moving forward and we’re going to keep telling great stories.”
The writer continued to explain what exactly happened that day on set:
He came to me with a line change that he wanted. Because of this particular episode, the change that he wanted hurt the story. I offered him a fix. He didn’t accept the fix. He said, ‘Fix it so I’m happy’ and then walked off.”
Criminal Minds airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
What do you think? Do you watch Criminal Minds? Is season 12 the same without Gibson?
I’m new to Criminal Minds. Being very honest the reason I started watching is Thomas Gibson and the great relationship between Shamar and Kristin. Not interested in the new cast, sorry. Will continue to watch the reruns with Thomas and Shamar.
I think you were to abrupt to fire him for reasons stated. If he didn’t like a line he was supposed to say and didn’t like it , who would better know, besides the writers, than Mr. Gibson wether a line works for him? To fire someone over an attitude, 3/4 of all the shows on TV would be firing their actors. You should sit down and talk to each other, he might be in a better frame of mind now. I tried watching it without him and kept waiting For him to show up, I am glad you brought… Read more »
I think Hollywood is full excessively politically correct pansies. Whoops, I said pansies. Hollywood won’t stand for that! Did poor Virgil have to be rushed to a hospital? Will he ever walk correctly again? In Chicago we would have merely stepped out back and no one would be fired.
No kidding. He’s so macho, he threatens to kill a young actress. He made surd to block me from telling him what I think if him
EVERYTHING in life has a beginning a middle & an end. And Criminal Minds was & still is NO different!!! It takes Virgil Williams to write such a great show. But without Thomas Gibson to be there & help bring that story to life,his great writing & story just don’t seem to be that great after all. And that’s what’s happening now. Ya know,there are some peolple who are such big losers that they just don’t see it when they’ve actually won. Could Virgil Williams be one of those people?
Nope, I will not watch the show without Thomas Gibson.
I won’t either. I watch ion TV refund. No Thomas Gibson? I refuse to watch it.
The show is absolutely not the same and not as good. His character was to much of an integral part of the show and Thomas is a good actor. It seems to me they were both at fault and I believe they fires the wrong guy. Kill off the guy that’s after him and his kid and bring them out of seclusion. If you want the show to work with some of these new people (not Emily, of course) you are going to have to bring Thomas back!!!
Gibson’s departure is rediculous they were both at fault from what I’m reading. With him gone I feel like it is just another one of those many crime shows out there. I also feel like the other actors are struggling without him as well……CBS is killing their show, we the fans are begging you’s to bring him back. How sad will it be to see this amazing show come to an end over this. Do the right thing CBS and bring back Gibson……please
Never liked any of the replacements except Joe M.. This is the tipping point for me. Why, doesn’ t matter. Bye!
Miss both characters s lot. Not the same. Thomas was a key character for the team. Not being there leaves a huge gap!! Shemar is also a gigantic loss his interaction was important to the group. I love others but without those two it loses a lot of interest!!! Very sad. Glad old episodes still run on ION but once those are done it is really done!! Kathy Berry
I really liked the Character and like what I have read about Thomas Gibson. This along with departure of Shemar Moore has dampened my enthusiasm for the show. It also makes me wonder if there is something toxic going on.
No Hotchner no watch, that simple.
We’ll see if they fired the wrong guy. The ratings for Criminal Minds the day after the election were brutal. We’ll see if that continues. They aren’t replacing Gibson this season.
Yes, it’s the same. It is nice to have a change of cast and new interactions.