Thomas Gibson will no longer appear in "Criminal Minds" season 12.
ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios jointly announced the actor's dismissal from the long-running police procedural series after his physical altercation with one of the show's producers.
"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," the networks stated, according to TVLine.
Gibson's character BAU Special Agent Aaron Hotchner will more likely be sent away from the team on a still unknown assignment by the show's third season.
Initial reports revealed that CBS decided to order a two-episode suspension for the actor after he reportedly kicked an unnamed producer while filming new episodes for season 12. But the decision was changed into a full-fledged dismissal a day after the suspension was announced Thursday.
The actor also released a statement about his dismissal, telling TVLine that he was sad to be out of the show permanently.
"I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years," Gibson 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."
Gibson also addressed the incident in an interview with Deadline, admitting that the altercation did happen on set.
"There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred," the actor stated. "We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and we always will."
Viewers of the show will see Gibson's final scenes in the premiere episode of "Criminal Minds" season 12 on Sept. 28.
