Criminal Minds Expands Again as Damon Gupton Joins Cast

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The Criminal Minds family is still growing.

Today it was announced that Damon Gupton (Empire) has been added to the already sizeable cast.

He'll be a series regular.

Gupton has been added as fans are still bracing for what will become of the show after the loss of Thomas Gibson, although his character will not be taking over as the lead of BAU.

Gupton will be playing Special Agent Stephen Walker from the Behavioral Analysis Program, which is the counterintelligence division of the FBI. As a seasoned profiler Agent Walker will bring his spy-hunting skill set to the BAU.

“Our BAU family is growing,” said Erica Messer, Criminal Minds’ executive producer/showrunner. “We’re excited to have Damon join the show and work alongside our amazing cast and crew.”

Thomas Gibson will be airing through Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 2 as Agent Hotchner, but Gibson was fired during filming of the third episode after a physical altercation with one of the writers.

Gibson was directing the installment.

There have already been several casting changes this season. Aisha Tyler's Dr. Tara Lewis has been upped from recurring status to series regular.

In light of Shemar Moore's departure during Criminal Minds Season 11, Adam Rodriguez has been added as FBI Agent Luke Alvarez and made his debut on Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 1.

Alvarez has already established himself as desirous of a friendship with Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), something she shared with Moore's Derek Morgan.

Paget Brewster is also returning to the cast as Emily Prentiss. 

Brewster was initially set to return for a recurring arc, but after Gibson's dismissal was promoted to series regular.

Gupton's Agent Walker will first appear on Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 8.

There isn't any word who will be taking the place of Aaron Hotchner as lead of the BAU, but word is it will be revealed on the show and the promotion will come from within the BAU team itself.

What are you most looking forward to as we move further into the season on Criminal Minds?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you haven't caught up with the latest, you can watch Criminal Minds online to do so.

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.

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