After losing lead actor Shemar Moore in Season 11, the CBS crime drama series "Criminal Minds" said goodbye to Thomas Gibson.
Gibson's firing came after he figured in an altercation with one of the writers of the show, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) reported.
ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios issued a joint statement confirming Gibson's forced departure from the long-running television series. The joint statement promised to release details regarding the creative concerns of writing off Gibson's character from the crime drama at a later time.
Gibson released his own statement in response, wherein the actor said that he has put his "heart and soul" into the series during the entirety of 12 seasons. He also said he had hoped to see the show through to the end, and he closed the statement by thanking the producers, writers, cast, crew and fans of the long-running show.
Variety revealed some details about the altercation that took place two weeks ago. According to the publication, Gibson kicked writer Virgil Williams during an argument. The two had an argument regarding the episode, which the actor was also directing. The dispute heated up until Gibson physically assaulted Williams, who also serves as one of the producers of the TV series.
The studios initially suspended Gibson for two episodes in "Criminal Minds," and they later decided to totally remove him from the crime drama.
Gibson had been involved with several adverse incidents in the production of the show. One such incident took place in December 2010. The actor became angry at assistant director Ian Woolf over miscommunications during a late-night stunt shoot, wherein the former shoved the latter. The incident led to an 8-hour anger management classes for the actor.
In January 2013, Gibson also lost his driver's license temporarily after being arrested for drunk driving. Staff members reportedly chauffeured him to work until he regained his license.
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 will begin airing on Sept. 28. Gibson's character will appear for two episodes in the new season.
