Thomas Gibson, who starred as Aaron Hotchner in the hit CBS drama Criminal Minds, has been fired from the show.
Gibson had been recently suspended for kicking a writer in the shin. In a statement to E! News, he explained that the incident was due to “creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and we always will.”
Another source close to the actor said the kick was instinctive and was simply a “minor disagreement” due to some creative misunderstandings.
Now, however, Gibson’s suspension has become permanent. According to a statement from ABC and CBS Studios, “Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds. Creative details for how the character’s exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date.”
This news comes shortly after the departure of Shemar Moore, another member of the show’s main cast. Moore, who played the stoic and lovable Derek Morgan, was described as “one of a kind” by Criminal Minds executive producer Erica Messer. Though he “will be missed,” she stated, writing him out “opens up doors to really interesting stories related to his character’s departure. It feels like maybe we just got started for a whole new run.”
Messer still remains optimistic about 12th season of the show, especially since fan favorites Paget Brewster and Aisha Tyler will be returning.
With both Moore and Gibson gone, though, the BAU will be down two agents. It’ll be interesting to see how the show carries on without two of the team’s most vital members.
Season 12 of Criminal Minds is set to premiere on September 28 on CBS.
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