Criminal Minds Reportedly Adds New Characters in Wake of Thomas Gibson Firing

Criminal Minds is looking to add two new characters in the wake of Thomas Gibson's firing earlier this month, TV Line reports.

One of the new additions to the long-running CBS drama is said to be a replacement for Gibson's Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner, while details regarding the second character remain a mystery. TVGuide.com reached out to CBS for comment, but according to a rep for the network there's nothing new to be announced at this time.

Thomas Gibson fired from Criminal Minds following on-set altercation

Gibson's dismissal from the long-running series came earlier this month after the actor allegedly kicked writer-producer Virgil Williams over creative differences relating to an episode Gibson was directing. Gibson was originally set to receive a two-episode suspension, but just just one day after the news broke, ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios announced the actor, who had been with the the show since it premiered in 2005, would not be returning to the series.

"Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds," the 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."

Prior to Gibson's firing, Criminal Minds was already in a state of flux, as Season 12 will be the first without original cast member Shemar Moore, who departed the series last season. Other changes include the addition of a new character played by Adam Rodriguez and the return of Paget Brewster.

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