Thomas Gibson Fired From ‘Criminal Minds’ Following Physical Altercation On Set

Thomas Gibson, star of the hit CBS crime show Criminal Minds, was fired from the series on Friday, after an alleged physical altercation took place on set.

Thomas Gibson Fired From ‘Criminal Minds’

“Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from ‘Criminal Minds,’ ” production companies ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios said in a joint statement. “Creative details for how the character’s exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date.”

Gibson was reportedly suspended two weeks ago for kicking writer and co-executive producer Virgil Williams, during Season 12 filming.

“Almost out of instinct, Thomas basically kicked him in the shin,” said a source, adding that the writer “seemed alright at the time, but when his team found out it turned into something bigger.”

“There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement,” Gibson told TMZ, regarding the incident. “I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible.”

However, reports also claim that Gibson also had an altercation with an assistant director years ago that resulted in anger management classes.

Gibson starred on the crime drama as Aaron Hotchner, an FBI agent in the Behavioral Analysis Unit; he also directed several episodes throughout the series.

Series showrunner Erica Messer revealed that there are already plans for Agent Hotchner to be gone for a while this upcoming season.

“Hotch is on temporary duty doing something that the Director tapped him to do,” Messer told TVLine. “We’ll get to see what that assignment was about. It’s a big thing that will play out.”

Gibson later released a statement in the wake of his firing: “I love ‘Criminal Minds’ and have put my heart and soul into it for the last twelve years,” he said. “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.”

On Saturday, Gibson hired a top Los Angeles law firm to pursue possible legal claims against the show’s producers about his termination, according to reports.   

Skip Miller, a litigator with experience in entertainment industry disputes, confirmed that he and partner Sasha Frid have begun representing Gibson and are evaluating whether to pursue legal claims.

Criminal Minds returns for season 12 on Sept. 28 on CBS.