Actor Thomas Gibson is two weeks into a suspension from CBS’s long-running procedural “Criminal Minds,” following an on-set altercation with one of the show’s writers.
“There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred,” Gibson said in a statement to CNN. “We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and we always will.”
Gibson has played Agent Aaron Hotchner on the series for 11 years.
The incident that led to Gibson’s suspension occurred while he was directing an episode of the show. He’s previously directed six times on the series.
According to Deadline, who first got wind of Gibson’s sidelining, the actor was reprimanded after kicking one of the show’s writers after the two got into a disagreement over a script. Gibson also had a prior altercation with a “Criminal Minds” assistant director and was counseled for anger management, the publication adds.
ABC Studios, which produces “Criminal Minds” for CBS, had no comment.
News of the show’s on-set drama comes one day after CBS touted the additions of Adam Rodriguez and Aisha Tyler to the cast as series regulars.
Gibson was noticeably absent during CBS’s annual fall TV celebration, held Wednesday night.
Co-stars Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler were all on hand.
“Criminal Minds” returns September 28.
