Summary

  • Thomas Gibson's termination from Criminal Minds was a result of his problematic on-set behavior and his past instances of anger-prone tendencies.
  • Following his firing, Gibson's career has been limited, with only two projects since his departure from the show.
  • While there is a possibility for Agent Hotchner to return in the next season of the Criminal Minds reboot, the chances of Gibson reprising the role are slim due to the fallout with the cast and crew and a lack of demand from fans.

After 12 seasons, actor Thomas Gibson was fired from Criminal Minds, with FBI Special Agent Aaron Hotchner written out of the series. The Criminal Minds’ FBI cast revolved fairly often, with actors choosing to leave the long-lasting show behind to pursue outside interests, but this wasn’t the case for Thomas Gibson. Aaron Hotchner wasn’t officially written out until season 12, episode 6. Hotch left Criminal Minds because the character went into the Witness Protection Program after a serial killer stalked his son. He eventually chose to be a full-time father to Jack rather than return to the BAU.

In 2016, Thomas Gibson was suspended from the Criminal Minds cast due to an on-set physical altercation with one of the writer-producers. After his suspension, Gibson made a public statement of regret for the incident, explaining the quarrel was based on creative differences surrounding an episode he was directing. In an official statement on the suspension from the Criminal Minds team, it was noted Gibson had previously gotten into a dispute with one of the assistant directors, leading to mandatory anger management counseling (via Deadline). However, despite the circumstances, many Criminal Minds viewers want to know if Hotch could return.

Criminal Minds is available to stream on Hulu and Paramount+

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Why Thomas Gibson Really Left Criminal Minds

Thomas Gibson's Conduct On Set Is The Reason Hotch Was Written Out

Hotch sits at his desk in Criminal Minds

Thomas Gibson left Criminal Minds in 2016 because he was fired, and while there was a single incident that sparked his suspension, his on-set behavior had reportedly been problematic for a while. Since continuing his role as Agent Hotchner was still up for debate in the two weeks of his suspension, it makes sense it took four episodes to officially write out the character.

Since Criminal Minds season 12, Gibson has only appeared in two projects

The decision to fire Thomas Gibson from Criminal Minds was weighed with past instances of his volatile behavior, as many sources described his tendencies as anger-prone (via Variety). Following the termination, the actor has either taken a break from the screen or struggled to find roles. Since Criminal Minds season 12, Gibson has only appeared in two projects: The 2019 TV film Shadow Wolves and a voice role in the 2017 movie Axis, which was filmed before his termination.

Thomas Gibson spoke to Us Weekly after being fired from the show, and it was clear that he deeply regretted no longer being able to continue on with his role 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 may have been necessary for protecting the show’s on-set culture and the studio’s liability for repeated instances, Hotch leaving Criminal Minds presented creative issues for the show. Hotch’s exit from Criminal Minds coincided with another original cast member leaving the series, as Derek Morgan actor Shemar Moore departed at the end of season 11. Losing two of the last five remaining original Criminal Minds characters in such a short time risked a drop for the popular series. However, despite the change-up in cast, Criminal Minds is still going strong.

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Could Thomas Gibson Return In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2?

An Agent Hotchner Return In The Reboot Is Unlikely, But Not Impossible

Since he wasn't killed off, there's no reason Agent Hotchner can't join the returning cast for Criminal Minds: Evolution, the Paramount+ reboot. The chances of Thomas Gibson returning to play him, however, are slim to none. Since there's no real narrative reason to reintroduce even a recast Hotchner, it's pretty safe to say that Gibson's legacy with the show is well and truly over. Gibson's fallout with the crew and other members of the Criminal Minds cast was a huge blow to the show and Gibson's reputation.

Gibson left Criminal Minds in 2016, and while some cast and crew from that time have since left the show, many remain, and they would probably be unwilling to consider a Hotchner return.

Thomas Gibson was allegedly volatile to the point of being violent on set. He also hasn't done any significant work since, so the studio has little incentive to rebuild those burned bridges for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, even if mediation and resolution were possible. Gibson left Criminal Minds in 2016, and while some cast and crew from that time have since left the show, many remain, and they would probably be unwilling to consider a Hotchner return.

Since there's not really demand from Criminal Minds fans to see him back, the chances that Thomas Gibson will be among the returning BAU alumni in the Paramount+ reboot are more or less nonexistent.

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Season 16 Proves Criminal Minds Still Doesn't Need Agent Hotchner

Criminal Minds: Evolution Is Still A Hit Without Hotch

Criminal Minds Evolution cast Tara, JJ, Rossi, and Garcia

Criminal Minds: Evolution was a success without Thomas Gibson. As of now, the main cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution sees Garcia, JJ, Rossi, Prentiss, Dr. Tara Lewis, and Alvez. While some of these characters joined later in Criminal Minds, most of the principal cast is back for season 16, and it's proved to be a big return after all.

Prentiss has ultimately taken over Hotch's job, and she does great work fighting for the BAU against Deputy Director Bailey. With the series renewed for another season, it's clear Thomas Gibson's Agent Hotch isn't missed in the same way as Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer Reid is.

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What Thomas Gibson Has Said About Being Fired From Criminal Minds

The Criminal Minds Actor Puts His Exit Down To A Misunderstanding

Thomas Gibson on Criminal Minds.

After his termination from Criminal Minds, Thomas Gibson gave his side of the story. He explained there was a line in the script that contradicted something that happened earlier in the episode. Thomas Gibson said that he approached writer-producer Virgil Williams and mentioned it but was told it had to stay in the script. According to Gibson (via PEOPLE), he returned to the cast, and 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 claimed that Virgil Williams would have run into him if he hadn't moved. Gibson said he had some "choice words" with Williams after that, and he apologized for his comments the next day. However, Gibson said he went home after shooting that scene and then never returned to Criminal Minds, as the production suspended him after that incident:

"I feel like it took years to make a good reputation and a minute to damage it."

Criminal Minds Poster
Criminal Minds
Mystery
Drama
Crime
Where to Watch

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Criminal Minds centers on cases of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a group of elite criminal profilers who analyze the country's most notorious criminals as they look to anticipate their next moves before they strike again. Starting in 2005, Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons before getting a revival show, Criminal Minds: Evolution, in 2022.

Cast
shemar moore , Kirsten Vangsness , Paget Brewster , Thomas Gibson , Joe Mantegna , Matthew Gray Gubler , A.J. Cook , Mandy Patinkin , Lola Glaudini , Rachel Nichols , Jennifer Love Hewitt , Aisha Tyler
Release Date
September 22, 2005
Seasons
16
Network
CBS
Showrunner
Erica Messer , Jeff Davis

  • Criminal Minds Poster
    Criminal Minds
    Summary:
    Criminal Minds centers on cases of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a group of elite criminal profilers who analyze the country's most notorious criminals as they look to anticipate their next moves before they strike again. Starting in 2005, Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons before getting a revival show, Criminal Minds: Evolution, in 2022.
    Cast:
    shemar moore, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Lola Glaudini, Rachel Nichols, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Aisha Tyler
    Genres:
    Mystery, Drama, Crime
    Rating:
    TV-14
    Release Date:
    2005-09-22
    Seasons:
    16
    Writers:
    Jeff Davis
    Network:
    CBS
    Streaming Service(s):
    Paramount+
    Franchise(s):
    Criminal Minds
    Showrunner:
    Erica Messer, Jeff Davis