Thomas Gibson Is Leaving Criminal Minds, and Fans Have Extremely Mixed Reactions
:upscale()/2016/08/12/908/n/1922283/928f419d_edit_img_cover_file_42213649_1471032296.png)
An enormous piece of the hearts of Criminal Minds' cult of fans was ripped out when Shemar Moore resigned from his role as Derek Morgan on the hit TV series. But before that open wound could mend, fans were hit with more painful news surrounding the cast of the crime drama: Aaron Hotchner will no longer be a part of the show.
Actor Thomas Gibson, who plays the supervisory special agent of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit on Criminal Minds, was fired from the drama after reportedly getting into a physical altercation with a staff writer. Gibson later released a statement about his firing, saying:
"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 end, but that won't be possible now. I would 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."
Aaron Hotchner, a beloved character, won over the hearts of fans with his poker-faced demeanor and protective heart. Over the course of 12 suspenseful and emotional seasons, fans watched Hotchner lead his team of profilers through a series of gruesome crime investigations and personal trials, all while battling his own demons, including the killing of his wife by a serial killer he was hunting, the murder of her killer, and separating the grim nature of his career from fatherhood and being a good leader.
While there were many questions surrounding how the show's storyline would continue following Derek Morgan's departure, those still remain with the future of Hotch's character now up in the air. How will they write him off? And most importantly: what happens to the respected Behavioral Analysis Unit?
Despite the admirable nature of his onscreen character, some fans supported CBS's decision to cut the actor for his disorderly behavior, while others were shocked by the unexpected casting twist. Read on to see more reactions.