"Criminal Minds" has added "Bates Motel" actor Damon Gupton to its growing Season 12 cast.
Following the abrupt exit of Thomas Gibson, Gupton will join the long-running suspense thriller as a series regular. According to Deadline, the actor will be introduced in episode 8 of Criminal Minds Season 12 as Special Agent Stephen Walker, described as a seasoned profiler whose spy-hunting skills will help the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) track down their elusive UnSubs. While this is the case, the report said that his addition to the show is not being eyed as a direct replacement for Agent Hotch's post as BAU head.
"Our BAU family is growing," said executive producer Erica Messer.
"We're excited to have Damon join the show and work alongside our amazing cast and crew."
Gupton's recent TV credits also include "Empire" and "Rake." He is also set to appear on Amazon's upcoming drama, "Goliath."
Gupton joins previously announced new series regular, Adam Rodriguez, who will take on the role of Agent Luke Alvez. Paget Brewster, who exited the series in Season 11, has signed up to return as a full-fledged series regular on "Criminal Minds" Season 12. Jane Lynch is also set to return as Reid's mother in multiple-episodes set in Las Vegas.
Gibson, for his part, has spoken up about his firing from "Criminal Minds" due to an altercation with a writer/producer. Speaking with People.com, the actor related how the events that happened on July 26 led to his official dismissal from the show. The actor shared that the main root of their dispute was a dialogue from the second episode of Season 12, to which he was overruled by the said producer after he questioned it.
"Williams came into that room and started coming towards me," Gibson told the publication.
"As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg. If I hadn't moved, he would have run into me."
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 airs every Wednesday at 9PM on CBS.
