'Criminal Minds' season 12 news, updates: Thomas Gibson has possible case against writer involved in altercation? New plot detail teased?

Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) will no longer be a part of "Criminal Minds" when it returns on-screen for season 12, and fans are wondering if season 11's cliffhanger will open an arc for the character's departure.

Gibson was recently fired from the series following a purported altercation with a writer. He's joining the list of cast members who departed from the series, including Lola Glaudini, Mandy Patinkin, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Shemar Moore. He has since expressed his disappointment through Twitter. Check out his post below.

PopSugar has reported that CBS and ABC Studios will be tackling Hotch's departure towards the later part of season 12. At this point, one of the most justifiable way of writing the character off is by killing it. Hotch has been part of the show since it started, and there has to be a good reason for him to leave the Bureau.

A good premise for Hotch's exit is the arc between him and Mr. Scratch (Bohdi Elfman), who is touted as season 12's big bad. It will be remembered that in season 11, Mr. Scratch used mind-altering drugs on Hotch to manipulate him, leading to the latter's arrest for conspiracy suspicions. Could season 12 find Mr. Scratch, who has escaped from prison and remains at large, exacting revenge on Hotch and eventually killing him?

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Gibson is mulling taking legal action against CBS for his dismissal. He has apparently gotten in touch with a Los Angeles-based law firm to help him weigh his options. Gibson may have a history of uncontrolled anger while on set, but Virgil Williams, the writer who figured in an altercation with the actor appears to have a questionable history, too.

TMZ reported that Williams, who worked for "ER" in 2006, had a row with a female production assistant (P.A.) upon learning that he might be replaced on the set. According to the report, Williams threatened to ruin the P.A.'s life.

Gibson was said to have acted in defense of Williams' aggressiveness. That said, he could use the writer's history to establish the fact that Williams provoked him on the set of "Criminal Minds," prompting him to retaliate.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 9 p.m. EST on CBS. In the meantime, keep coming back for updates and news regarding the series and its cast members.