'Criminal Minds' season 12 news: Thomas Gibson fired from series; actor filing a lawsuit?
Some fans of "Criminal Minds" still haven't gotten over Shemar Moore's departure from the series, and now, another original cast member has been written off the show.
The Hollywood Reported got hold of the official statement sent out by ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios announcing the termination of Thomas Gibson, who plays Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner on the series.
"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," read the termination announcement.
Gibson was a veteran on the crime procedural drama, having been part of the series since it started several years back. He was given the pink slip after apparently kicking writer Virgil Williams on-set. The altercation merited a two-episode suspension for Gibson, THR reported, which eventually resulted in him being terminated.
According to the report, Gibson was at the helm of an episode for "Criminal Minds" season 12 when the altercation occurred. Witnesses said the hour's writer was on set and got into an argument with Gibson. It appears that Gibson acted on instinct and kicked the writer as the latter was being aggressive.
Gibson subsequently sent a statement to THR where he said he loves "'Criminal Minds' and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years." The 54-year-old actor claimed he was regretful that the disagreement occurred.
Meanwhile, Movie News Guide reported that Gibson is reportedly planning to file a lawsuit in response to his dismissal from the series. Should that happen, "Criminal Minds" season 12, which is set to premiere in September, will be making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In related news, Entertainment Tonight reported that Skip Miller of the Los Angeles-based law firm Miller Barondess has confirmed that they would be representing Gibson in the lawsuit.
"Criminal Minds" season 12 is premiering on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 9 p.m. EDT on CBS.
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