After an impressive 12 seasons, fans of Criminal Minds were stunned when actor Thomas Gibson, portraying the iconic FBI Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, was abruptly dismissed from the show. Hotchner, a central figure in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), was written out of the series, leaving a void that many felt. While character departures are common in long-running series as actors explore new opportunities, Gibson’s exit was far from amicable. Agent Hotchner’s departure was officially addressed in season 12, episode 6, explaining his entrance into the Witness Protection Program to safeguard his son from a serial killer. This storyline provided an in-universe justification for Hotch’s absence, suggesting he chose full-time fatherhood over his demanding BAU career.
However, the on-screen narrative was merely a cover for the real-life drama that unfolded behind the scenes. In 2016, Thomas Gibson faced suspension from the Criminal Minds cast due to a physical altercation with a writer-producer on set. This incident wasn’t isolated, as reports surfaced detailing previous disputes and concerns about Gibson’s behavior. Following his suspension, Gibson publicly expressed regret, citing creative disagreements during an episode he was directing as the catalyst for the confrontation. The Criminal Minds production team, in their statement, revealed a past incident involving Gibson and an assistant director that led to mandatory anger management counseling, according to Deadline. Despite the explanations and apologies, the question lingers for many devoted viewers: Could Hotch ever return to Criminal Minds?
Thomas Gibson’s On-Set Conduct: The True Cause of Hotch’s Departure
The definitive reason Thomas Gibson departed Criminal Minds in 2016 was his firing, stemming from a pattern of on-set behavior issues that culminated in the 2016 incident. Although the physical altercation served as the immediate trigger for his suspension and subsequent termination, reports indicate his behavior had been a recurring concern for some time. The two-week suspension period suggests that the decision to permanently remove Gibson was carefully considered, ultimately leading to Hotch’s exit being written into the show four episodes later.
Since his departure from Criminal Minds season 12, Thomas Gibson’s acting roles have been limited. This could be attributed to a deliberate career break or challenges in securing new roles following the controversy. Whatever the reason, Gibson’s post-Criminal Minds career stands in stark contrast to his long tenure on the hit series.
The decision to terminate Thomas Gibson’s contract was reportedly influenced by a history of volatile conduct, with numerous sources describing him as prone to anger, as reported by Variety. The aftermath of his firing saw Gibson largely absent from the screen, with only two acting credits since Criminal Minds season 12: the 2019 television film Shadow Wolves and a voice acting role in the 2017 animated movie Axis.
Reflecting on his dismissal in an interview with Us Weekly, Thomas Gibson expressed deep regret at the abrupt end of his time as Hotch:
“I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years. 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.”
While Gibson’s firing was perceived by many as a necessary measure to maintain a respectful on-set environment and protect the studio from liability, Hotch’s absence created narrative challenges for Criminal Minds. His departure coincided with another significant cast change – Shemar Moore, who played Derek Morgan, left at the end of season 11. Losing two original characters within a short span risked audience viewership. Despite these cast adjustments, Criminal Minds demonstrated resilience and continued its run.
Could Agent Hotchner Return in Criminal Minds: Evolution?
Unlikely Return for Hotch in the Reboot
With the revival of the series in Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+, some fans have wondered about the possibility of Agent Hotchner’s return. Given that the character wasn’t killed off, theoretically, Hotch could rejoin the BAU in the reboot. However, the chances of Thomas Gibson reprising his role are extremely slim, if not nonexistent. Furthermore, there isn’t a compelling storyline reason to bring back Hotchner, even with a different actor. It’s widely considered that Gibson’s association with Criminal Minds has concluded permanently. The circumstances surrounding Gibson’s exit, marked by conflict with crew and cast members, created a significant rift, impacting both the show and his professional reputation.
Although time has passed since Gibson’s 2016 departure, and some personnel changes have occurred within the Criminal Minds production, many individuals from that era remain involved. It’s highly probable that there would be considerable reluctance among them to welcome back Hotchner.
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Alt text: BAU team members Hotch, Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, and Hotch’s son Jack in Criminal Minds, discussing potential character returns for Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2.
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7 Criminal Minds Characters That Can Still Return In Evolution Season 2
As the BAU team investigates the Gold Star mystery in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, there is potential for several original characters to aid in their efforts.
Thomas Gibson’s alleged volatile and, at times, violent behavior on set, coupled with his limited acting work since 2016, weakens any incentive for the studio to attempt reconciliation for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, even if mediation were a possibility. The lack of significant fan demand for his return further diminishes the likelihood of Gibson’s comeback in the Paramount+ reboot. The probability of Thomas Gibson rejoining the returning BAU team in Criminal Minds: Evolution is practically nonexistent.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Proves The Show Can Thrive Without Agent Hotchner
Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s Success Without Hotch
Criminal Minds: Evolution has demonstrably succeeded without Thomas Gibson’s presence. The current main cast includes beloved characters like Garcia, JJ, Rossi, Prentiss, Dr. Tara Lewis, and Alvez. While some of these actors joined Criminal Minds later in its run, the core ensemble has returned for season 16, marking a successful revival of the series.
Prentiss has effectively stepped into Hotch’s leadership role, demonstrating her capability in guiding the BAU, particularly in navigating challenges with Deputy Director Bailey. With the continued success of the series, it’s evident that Thomas Gibson’s Agent Hotch is not as acutely missed as, for example, Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid. The show’s enduring popularity underscores its ability to adapt and evolve, even without key original cast members.
Thomas Gibson’s Account of His Criminal Minds Firing
Gibson Describes His Exit as a Misunderstanding
Following his termination from Criminal Minds, Thomas Gibson shared his perspective on the events that led to his dismissal. He stated that a script inconsistency sparked the conflict. Gibson explained that he approached writer-producer Virgil Williams about a line that contradicted a previous scene, but was told the line would remain. According to Gibson, in a PEOPLE interview, upon returning to set, the producer:
“[Williams] came into that room and started coming towards me. As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg.”
Thomas Gibson maintained that the contact was unintentional, a reaction to avoid collision with Williams. Gibson admitted to exchanging “choice words” with Williams afterward and apologized for his remarks the following day. Despite the apology, Gibson was suspended after filming the scene and subsequently fired, marking his permanent exit from Criminal Minds:
“I feel like it took years to make a good reputation and a minute to damage it.”
Thomas Gibson’s Projects Since Criminal Minds
Limited Acting Roles Post-Departure
Alt text: Thomas Gibson portraying Colonel Branson with an intense expression in Shadow Wolves, highlighting his post-Criminal Minds acting roles.
Since leaving Criminal Minds, Thomas Gibson has participated in only a few projects. Focusing on family, travel, and the general slowdown in the acting industry, it appears Gibson has been selective in his roles, or perhaps faced limited offers after his high-profile firing.
One project released in 2017 was Axis, the directorial debut of Aisha Tyler, his former Criminal Minds co-star, funded through Kickstarter. The film primarily takes place inside a car, using phone calls and radio broadcasts to drive the narrative, which allowed for numerous voice acting roles. Gibson, along with several Criminal Minds alumni, contributed voice work to the project. Paget Brewster, Kristen Vangsness, and Adam Rodriguez also lent their voices, alongside Tyler herself.
In 2019, Gibson appeared in the television movie Shadow Wolves, playing Colonel Branson, the leader of a clandestine NSA unit. While the film wasn’t critically acclaimed, it gained attention as the project that earned Xochitl Gomez, later known for her role as America Chavez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Young Artist award.
Gibson is also credited as the writer and star of The Writer’s Bible, a project centered on a writer seeking to overcome writer’s block in a remote cabin. The film’s release status remains pending.
Gibson’s recent engagement with Cameo, a platform for personalized celebrity messages, suggests a possible openness to reconnecting with the Criminal Minds fanbase. While he has maintained a relatively low public profile regarding the show, he has answered fan questions about his character and experiences on Criminal Minds through Cameo. This interaction hints at a potential willingness to revisit his past role, although a return to the series would necessitate a compelling narrative justification.
Similar Firings in Long-Running TV Shows
High-Profile Actor Firings from Hit Series
The dismissal of a lead actor from a successful, long-running television show, as seen with Thomas Gibson on Criminal Minds, is notable but not unprecedented. Numerous instances exist where established actors on popular series have been fired, often due to on-set conduct issues. A comparable situation to Gibson’s is the firing of Clayne Crawford from Lethal Weapon. During an episode Crawford directed, a stunt mishap injured co-star Damon Wayans, and audio of Crawford’s on-set outburst surfaced.
Crawford was terminated from his lead role as Martin Riggs at the end of Lethal Weapon‘s second season and replaced by Seann William Scott as a new character. While Lethal Weapon enjoyed success, other long-tenured actors have also faced firing. Although presented as a mutual decision, speculation suggests Chevy Chase’s departure from Community was a firing following a racial slur incident on set, capping years of reported conflicts with the cast and crew.
Actors Fired From TV Shows:
| Actor | Character | Show |
|---|---|---|
| Clayne Crawford | Martin Riggs | Lethal Weapon |
| Chevy Chase | Pierce Hawthorne | Community |
| Isaiah Washington | Preston Burke | Grey’s Anatomy |
| Charlie Sheen | Charlie Harper | Two and a Half Men |
These on-set controversies frequently become public, compelling shows to take decisive action. Following reports of tension on the set of Grey’s Anatomy, the conflicts were addressed at a press conference after the show’s Golden Globe win. Isaiah Washington’s use of an offensive slur in response to rumors seemed to confirm his role in the discord, contributing to his subsequent firing.
Perhaps the most widely publicized firing from a long-running series was Charlie Sheen’s from Two and a Half Men. At the time, the comedy was a top-rated show, but it was engulfed in scandal after Sheen’s public attacks against colleagues. After weeks of erratic behavior and public rants, Sheen was fired, and Ashton Kutcher was brought in as a new character.
Success!
Alt text: Criminal Minds series poster featuring the BAU team, representing the show’s continued success despite cast changes.
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Criminal Minds
TV-14
8/10
Release Date September 22, 2005
Network CBS
Showrunner Erica Messer
Writers Jeff Davis
Franchise(s) Criminal Minds
Cast
See All
- Shemar Moore
- Joe Mantegna
Criminal Minds centers on the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), an elite group of criminal profilers who analyze the nation’s most dangerous offenders to predict their next moves. Premiering in 2005, Criminal Minds aired for 15 seasons before its revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, in 2022.
Seasons 17
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