In the most stunning piece of TV news this month, Thomas Gibson is out of a job.
The veteran Criminal Minds star got suspended for two weeks after kicking a writer on the set of his hit show…
… and then, BOOM!
A day after this information went public, Thomas Gibson got fired.
CBS executives released a short, terse statement this afternoon in which they relieved Gibson of his duties as BAU Agent Aaron Hotcher, saying:
“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.”
Was it simply a matter of Gibson getting into the aforementioned dispute with a producer named Virgil Williams?
No, it doesn’t sound that way.
An earlier report alleged that Gibson also shoved an assistant director back in 2010 (the same year he was pulled over for drunk driving, FWIW) and was told to attend anger management classes as a result.
The actor appears to have a history of violence on the Criminal Minds set.
We can’t say for certain, but it’s therefore safe to assume that there may have been other incidents in between these two that have not yet been made public.
Due to this influx of inappropriate actions, CBS felt that it had no choice but to let Gibson go.
A couple hours after he was ousted from a job he held since 2005, Gibson released a statement to TV Line.
“I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years,” it reads.
“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.”
Gibson is the lead of the show. So fans will no doubt be wondering:
How is this going to work?!?
We have it on strong authority that Gibson will appear on the first two episodes of Criminal Minds Season 12.
His character will then be sent off on a special assignment, which coincides with Paget Brewset coming back to reprise the role of Emily Prentiss.
She will assist the BAU on a case, which is a stroke of good fortunate for the drama (this was all planned out before the Gibson situation even arose).
CBS obviously hopes that Brewster’s return will soften the blow of Gibson’s departure.
But there are still many questions that will need to be answered as Season 12 goes along.
Hotcher simply isn’t coming back, which will need to be explained, while viewers wonder if a new male lead will be brought in to take Gibson’s place.
Remember:
Shemar Moore departed the show as Derek Morgan just prior to Season 11 ending, so Criminal Minds has lost two key players in a matter of months.
How do you feel about this huge casting decision? You’ve gotta figure producers didn’t think they had a choice if they made it so quickly, right?
Will you tune in for the September 28 premiere? Think other Thomas Gibson stories will soon come out?
Should he be replaced as soon as possible? Can you think of another actor you want to take over at the BAU?
AHHH! We have so many questions!
Here’s a look at the sort of company Gibson has now joined:
