Hoch Criminal Minds was no stranger to cast changes, but Thomas Gibson’s Aaron Hotchner’s departure was unexpected and messy.
For 11 years, Thomas Gibson played Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner on Criminal Minds, providing an anchor as other cast members came and departed. Many fans saw his character’s strength as a crucial source of tranquilly in the face of some very horrible events, which made his peaceful departure in the twelfth season all the more surprising.
To make matters worse, Hotch was dropped off the CBS procedural after Gibson was sacked after an on-set altercation. Let’s take a look at who Aaron Hotchner was on Criminal Minds and what led to Gibson’s departure from the programme.
Who was hotch on criminal minds?
The team head of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, Aaron Hotchner, was introduced in the first episode of Criminal Minds. While other characters, particularly Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon, took the role of protagonist early on, Hotch became a pseudo-father figure for the team, with many individuals relying on him not only for assignments but also for advice and guidance.
While Hotchner was on the field with his teammates, many of his storylines revolved around his personal life. He struggled to make time for his family after having a child with his wife in the first season, which finally led to his divorce.
Later seasons would centre on Hotchner’s efforts to create a positive relationship with his son and, eventually, the hazards of exposing his family to the types of violent offenders the BAU seeks to apprehend.
Thomas Gibson’s Reasons for Leaving Criminal Minds
Thomas Gibson was sacked from the show in the 12th season, despite the importance of his character. Gibson got into a verbal spat with a crew member in 2016, who was either a writer or a producer, according to reports.
Gibson allegedly kicked a crew member in the leg during the production of a sequence in which he was both playing and directing. Gibson later downplayed the incident, stating that his “foot came up and tapped him on the leg.” Gibson was suspended from Criminal Minds immediately as a result of the altercation.
Gibson’s brawl on the set of Criminal Minds wasn’t the first time he’d been caught on camera. Gibson was forced to take anger management classes after a shoving incident in 2010, and according to Variety, many on the Criminal Minds set anticipated Gibson to be fired after that incident. Gibson was caught for driving under the influence in 2013, and as a result, he had to attend alcohol education sessions.
Gibson was fired from Criminal Minds on August 12, 2016, after an internal review by the show’s production company, ABC Studios. He issued a statement expressing apologies for the event, citing “artistic differences” on production. His character was quietly written off the show after his surprise departure, as he had entered the witness protection programme.
Gibson expressed his appreciation for the show and, in particular, the Criminal Minds fans, despite the circumstances surrounding his resignation. More women team members were hired and promoted in place of Hotchner, resulting in some beneficial improvements in the BAU team demographics. Criminal Minds eventually withstood the controversy and returned for a third season.
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