“Criminal Minds” showrunner Erica Messer has signed a new two-year contract with ABC Studios for the police procedural drama series and has also launched Erica Messer Productions. The showrunner has lengthened her connection with the producers of the series, proving that their relationship has stood the test of time. The series had suffered a rating decline following the departure of some of the original cast members. These cast members included Shemar Moore, who played as Derek Morgan and Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner. With the showrunner’s recent deal with the producers, fans can’t help but wonder if this would be the time to have Gibson back in the show.
The series’ showrunner stays with ABC Studios for a while
“Criminal Minds” Season 13 is set to return on Sept. 27. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Messer will continue to make more original TV series for ABC Studios as well as be a showrunner for the "Criminal Minds" series. On Monday, the network’s chief Patrick Moran expressed his excitement that Messer has expanded her time in the network. "Erica has been an extraordinary showrunner for us and we're very excited to see what's in store for her new production company housed at ABC Studios," he said in a statement. She will also work with her longtime friend, Deborah Cincotta, who will be the president of Erica Messer Productions.
Will Hotch make a comeback to the series?
Now that Messer has expanded her bond with ABC Studios, wouldn’t this be the right time for Thomas Gibson to make a comeback to “Criminal Minds?" Since the actor’s sudden departure from the show, many fans rallied behind him, saying that the series is not the same without him. Fans have also filed a petition to bring back Hotch to the series.
There was also the massive social media hashtag #NoHotchNoWatch. Fans are still hoping to see him again on the show especially when the writer Virgil Williams, with whom he had an altercation, has left the show to work for Universal Television.
One of the best show quotes#HotchForeverInOurHearts#NoHotchNoWatch pic.twitter.com/Otl70F1Gvs
— Jeri Anderson 🌹 (@IUredhead) July 13, 2017
Most people only see a villain. Hotch also saw a heartbroken dad who needed a final goodbye. #WeWantHotch #NoHotchNoWatch pic.twitter.com/drup8yvYkH
— HotchLover (@Hotch_lover) July 6, 2017
In August 2016, Thomas Gibson was fired from “Criminal Minds” following a dispute with Williams over an episode that the actor was directing.
He later issued an apology statement and explained that the altercation stemmed from their creative differences. However, CBS announced a few days later that they had fired the actor from the series. He was written off the show by having his character, Aaron Hotchner enter a Witness Protection Program when the serial killer Mr. Scratch started stalking Jack, his son.
Will you watch “Criminal Minds” Season 13 without Thomas Gibson’s Aaron Hotchner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
