‘Criminal Minds’ Let Go Damon Gupton After Only One Season—What Happens To Agent Walker?


“After spending only one season in Criminal Minds, actor Damon Gupton announced on Twitter that he has lost his job. What happens now to Agent Stephen Walker?

‘Criminal Minds’ loses another star

Over the weekend, Gupton posted a response to the tweet of football player Tyvis Powell. Powell wrote, “When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal, you do not change your decision to get there.” Gupton commented.

“Wanted to let you know I appreciate this as I just lost my job. You throwing out the 1st pitch is pure class and a monumental image.”

Deadline has confirmed that Gupton is leaving the procedural series Criminal Minds as part of creative decisions. Damon joined the CBS drama after the sudden exit of Thomas Gibson, one of the original cast members of the show. Damon was one of the latest additions to the cast, along with Paget Brewster, Adam Rodriguez, Luke Alvez, and Aisha Tyler.

Goodbye, Agent Walker

It is unclear what would specifically happen to Agent Stephen Walker, the character that Gupton portrayed in Criminal Minds Season 12. But the stage had been set in the “frightening and unexpected” finale of the previous season. Walker, Prentiss (Brewster), Rossi (Joe Mantegna), JJ (A.J. Cook), Tara (Tyler) and Alvez (Rodriguez) had been ambushed. Their SUVs had been derailed and an 18-wheeler truck plowed into them. In an interview with TV Guide last month, showrunner Erica Messer said the following of the cliffhanger:.

“We’re expecting once they get out of the car at Scratch’s hideout it’s going to be bad news, but the fact that it was before they could even get there — that that was where the trap was — is frightening and unexpected. They were not prepared for it.”

The finale definitely left viewers wondering if everyone made it alive or if everyone involved in the accident is returning in Criminal Minds Season 13. Messer could not give a certain answer during the interview with TV Guide, saying that they would probably know when the writers’ room opens on June 5, which is hopefully when the actors’ deals are done. Messer added more.

“It’ll be a change next season no matter what because we’re dealing with the aftermath of what Scratch just did and what happened to our hero in prison that whole time.”

Agent Walker might have died because of the tragic trap, or he might have been badly injured that made him unable to return to service. It is also not clear if there would be replacement character in line with Gupton’s departure.

Meanwhile, it is also yet to be confirmed whether Kirsten Vangsness and A.J. Cook would be back. The two actors are reportedly negotiating for a higher salary that would be equal to the pay that co-stars Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler are currently receiving for Criminal Minds, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Vangsness and Cook have been with the series since its first season. Mantegna and Gubler have already signed new deals with ABC Studios and CBS TV Studios for the show’s new season.

Criminal Minds Season 13 would pick up from where Season 12 ended. Messers assured the following.

“People aren’t going to be worried about Reid or Garcia because they weren’t in the car and obviously we have to acknowledge what Dr. Reid has been through this year. We can’t just pretend that didn’t happen, but at the same time, we want to make sure it feels realistic, that he’s getting some help next season and that kind of stuff.”

Fans could also expect Reid to be reinstated in the BAU. While it is not 100 percent sure, Messer said that they do want Reid to join the back as soon as possible.

Criminal Minds Season 13 is set to premiere in September.

[Featured Image by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]

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