Criminal Minds wasn’t just scary because of how unnerving the “unsubs” were. The show captivated viewers by revealing the mental processes of real monsters. But the creepiest twists weren’t always on-screen. Some of the biggest shocks happened behind the scenes. From sudden cast cuts to explosive exits and a very public fight for fair pay, here are the real-life dramas that changed the BAU forever.
Mandy Patinkin Walked Away Because the Show Was Too Dark
Mandy Patinkin was already famous for The Princess Bride and a slew of acclaimed roles before joining the BAU. But before Season 3 started, he decided to leave. Fast. He didn’t leave for a higher salary or a more glamorous role, but rather because he found the series’ violence emotionally draining.
He later called signing on “the biggest public mistake I ever made,” saying he didn’t realize just how relentlessly grim the show would be—particularly the violence against women, week in and week out. For him, it wasn’t just a creative issue; it was spiritual and psychological. He worried he’d torched his TV career by bailing so dramatically. But his career was just fine. Patinkin rebounded with Homeland, one of the buzziest prestige dramas of the 2010s, proving that leaving the BAU didn’t mean leaving television success behind.
Thomas Gibson Was Fired After an On-Set Altercation
Aaron Hotchner is the definition of calm authority, so fans were stunned when Thomas Gibson, who played him, was booted from the show in 2016 over a confrontation with a writer/producer. Reports said he kicked the staffer during a dispute and was immediately suspended and then dismissed.
Gibson later gave a softer version of events, saying the other person brushed past him, his foot “tapped” the leg, words were exchanged, and he apologized. Even so, this wasn’t his first dust-up. He’d previously been sent to anger management after verbally lashing out on set and allegedly shoving an assistant director. Whether you buy his explanation or not, the pattern mattered. The “kick” became strike three, and Hotch disappeared from the BAU’s bullpen for good.
Kirsten Vangsness Fought for Equal Pay and Respect
On-screen, Penelope Garcia is the BAU’s glitter-coded IT specialist. Off-screen, Kirsten Vangsness showed the same backbone, just with fewer neon accessories. Over the years, reports surfaced that she and A.J. Cook were paid significantly less than their male co-stars, despite being central to the team and beloved by fans. Vangsness spoke up, took a risk, and pushed for parity rather than just “being grateful” and quietly accepting a smaller slice.
She’s also been very open about how contract disputes and cast cuts take an emotional toll on the entire crew, but especially when your character is a fan favorite. Her fight wasn’t a tabloid “scandal,” exactly, but it revealed real power imbalances that long-running shows can hide. Popularity doesn’t automatically equal leverage, and even in a hit series, women have to demand the respect and compensation they deserve.
Two Fan Favorites Were Dropped, And Fans Didn’t Like That
The abrupt departure of A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster from the show around the same time left the official line unclear. People whispered about budget cuts, and the whole thing felt cold. Then Brewster clarified years later that it wasn’t about money at all. According to her, network higher-ups simply wanted “new women.” Wow.
A.J. Cook took a gentler public tone, calling it a classic “it’s not you, it’s me” situation, but the message to viewers was loud and clear: no one was safe. The fandom, however, had other plans. Devoted fans launched a passionate campaign to bring the BAU queens back, and it somehow worked. Cook and Brewster were back on the team, picking up their character arcs like they never left (almost). This is one of those rare times the audience actually won a behind-the-scenes battle, and the BAU felt right again.
