‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12 Spoilers & Cast Updates: Hotch Returns To BAU As Ratings Drop After Thomas Gibson’s Firing?

"Criminal Minds" Season 12 continues to experience a drop in ratings following the sudden firing of Thomas Gibson as Special Agent Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner from the CBS drama. In a recent interview, the actor opens up about the alleged altercation incident with one of the show's writers. Is there a possibility for Hotch to return to BAU?

This article contains spoilers. Read on if you want to learn more about the details of this story.

"Criminal Minds" Season 12 cast updates hint on the possible return of Thomas Gibson as Hotch following his recent firing from the CBS series. News of the actor's return to the show began after many fans expressed their disappointment with Gibson's firing from the series.

The hashtag, "#NoHotchNoWatch" was started on Twitter by several viewers who were against Gibson's firing from "Criminal Minds" Season 12. This also seemed to affect the show, as TV Series Finale reports that ratings for the series continue to drop.

According to the publication, "Criminal Minds" Season 12's average rating is 1.58 in the 18-49 demographics or 7.995 million viewers. This is lower by 11.96 percent when compared to the previous ratings of last season.

Many fans thought that CBS was impartial with their decision to fire Gibson from "Criminal Minds" Season 12. As Deadline reports, Gibson aired his side of the story a month after the network decided to fire him from the show.

Gibson recounted that he and writer-producer Virgil Williams had a disagreement about a particular scene in "Criminal Minds" Season 12. The actor admitted that the conversation escalated, but he did not kick Williams; instead, he said that his foot came up when William came towards him.

"My pride and reputation are hurt, but in the end I know the good work is what people will remember," he said.

Should Thomas Gibson's Hotch return in "Criminal Minds" Season 12? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!