‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12 Cast Changes: No Shemar Moore Or Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Aisha Tyler Return


Criminal Minds Season 12 is returning with major cast changes. Heartthrob Shemar Moore left the show last season and fans had to say goodbye to Special Agent Derek Morgan.

Furthermore, due to an on-set confrontation, Thomas Gibson is not returning as SSA Aaron Hotchner who along with Moore have been on the show since its first season.

Paget Brewster is returning as talented criminal profiler Emily Prentiss, which may help ease the pain of losing Aaron Hotchner for the fans.

Aisha Tyler made several appearances in Season 11 as Dr. Tara Lewis. Tyler is reprising her role in Season 12 of Criminal Minds.

In an interview with People magazine, Tyler spoke about filming Criminal Minds and why people love the long-running TV show.

“It’s a show that fans love. They connect with the stories. They connect with the theme of the show, which is about smart people out there trying to make the world safer for everybody,” she said of the criminal drama. “That hasn’t changed.”

Tyler also spoke about the atmosphere without Thomas Gibson.

“Thomas was an incredible part of the show for a very long time,” she says. “I know fans are going to miss him.”

Many fans of Criminal Minds have taken to social media to protest Thomas Gibson’s firing. The actor himself joined Twitter and Instagram to connect with his supporters directly.

The 54-year-old actor has thanked his fans for their support, and in a statement he expressed his wish to see the series through to the end.

“I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years. I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won’t be possible now. I would just like to say thank you to the writers, producers, actors, our amazing crew, and, most importantly, the best fans that a show could ever hope to have.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG54D6cHs0c

Many fans are hoping that Thomas Gibson’s Aaron Hotchner is written off the show in a manner that opens the character to a potential return to the cast.

Shemar Moore who left the show last season has already teased returning to Criminal Minds. Derek Morgan left the BAU to live a more normal life. Therefore, the character could easily return to the show, and many fans are hoping for the same with Aaron Hotchner.

Reports suggest that Criminal Minds Season 12 will begin with a gap between the events that ended the previous season. New cast member Luke Alvez played by Adam Rodriguez will replace Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan in the new season.

He will be assigned to helping the BAU team capture the serial killers on the loose, and it will be interesting to see how Garcia and the rest of the team react to the newcomer.

There is also a potential for a crossover with Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and Derek Morgan making a return sooner than expected.

Most cast members have been tight-lipped about the plot for the next season so there are not many spoilers about Season 12.

Criminal Minds is no stranger to changing up the cast throughout the years. However, the departure of many long-time cast members is new and may shake up the show.

Some sources suggest that Thomas Gibson’s firing was due to previous incidents adding up. According to Variety, Gibson’s mood is known to flare up.

“Gibson, according to multiple sources, was a mercurial personality on set who could be personable and friendly at times and other times quick to anger.”

Are you looking forward to Criminal Minds Season 12? How do you feel about Aaron Hotchner no longer being on the show?

Leave your comments below.

[Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]

Share this article: ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12 Cast Changes: No Shemar Moore Or Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Aisha Tyler Return
More from Inquisitr