When Criminal Minds returns for its dozenth season, expect some new faces to join the team as the show implements a major casting revamps following the termination of lead star Thomas Gibson.
According to a report by TVLine, Gibson, who plays the main character BAU Special Agent Aaron Hotchner or Hotch was dismissed from the show after allegedly kicking a producer over creative differences. The report stated that it was not the first time something like this happened as Gibson once pushed an assistant director on set and was asked to attend anger management sessions.
In an interview, the actor expressed his gratitude to the network and to his co-workers for his time on the show.
"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 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."
Executive Producer Erica Messer shared that they plan to write Hotch off the show around the third episode of the season to send him off on a special assignment.
"Gibson's Hotch will thus be off-screen for a couple of episodes and then we'll get to see what that assignment was about. It's a big thing that will play out," she said.
Meanwhile, a report by Inquisitr indicated that the show will be bringing Paget Brewster back in the role of Emily Prentiss, who has earlier appeared on the show as an overqualified team member who has been promoted out of the team. She will reportedly assume the role left by Hotch following his exit from the show.
The show will also bring back Aisha Tyler's Dr. Tara Lewis as a permanent cast member and introduce Adam Rodriguez as a new addition to the team. There is little information known about his character yet.
Returning to the show are series regulars Matthew Gray Gubler, A. J. Cook, Kirsten Vangness and Joe Mantegna while Shemar Moore is expected to drop in once in a while for guest appearances.
Criminal Minds returns to TV on September 28.
