Thomas Gibson is one of the CBS’ police procedural crime series “Criminal Minds” biggest stars and has helped the show’s ratings soar since it premiered in September 2005. He played as Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, the Unit Chief of FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Hotch and his team of profilers analyze the country’s most dangerous criminals and try to hunt them down before they can attack again. Gibson has helped the show to be one of the most popular series since it first aired in 2005 - until he was fired in August 2016 over an altercation with one of the show’s writers, Virgil Williams, who is leaving the show.

The show’s writer is leaving the series

The Hollywood Reporter shared that Virgil Williams is departing “Criminal Minds” as he has signed a two-year contract with Universal Television. He is expected to develop the studio’s new series' for cable, broadcast and streaming services. Williams was the writer that Gibson reportedly kicked on-set over creative differences on one of the episodes that the actor was also directing. The writer worked for the series for six years and has written almost 140 episodes during his time in the show. He also writes the script for the film “Mudbound” that is expected to be released in August 2017.

Is Thomas Gibson returning to the show?

When the news broke that William is leaving “Criminal Minds” for Universal Television, fans are starting to wonder whether Gibson will get the chance to return to the show.

Theories have it that there’s a high possibility that he can make a comeback in the series following the writer’s exit. It can be recalled that Gibson was written off the show by having his character, Aaron Hotchner, quit his job to enter the Witness Protection Program. He did this when he noticed that Peter Lewis, also known as Mr.

Scratch, started stalking his son, Jack.

Upon leaving the BAU, Aaron Hotchner personally asked Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) to take over his post as the Unit Chief, which she accepted. Since Gibson’s sudden departure from “Criminal Minds,” the series’ ratings began to decline, not to mention Shemar Moore’s exit in March 2016, which didn't help.

Although the ratings are generally favorable, there has been a noticeable drop compared to previous seasons. It was when Gibson and Moore were still in the series that the show's ratings were doing the best.

Massive #NoHotchNoWatch

Following Thomas Gibson’s termination from “Criminal Minds,” fans rallied behind him and created the massive social media hashtag #NoHotchNoWatch. They even filed a petition to deliver a message to the showrunners that they want Gibson back. Otherwise, they will continue to boycott the show. Until now, fans remain hopeful that Hotch will be back in the office again.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED