'Criminal Minds' Taps New Lead Ahead of Thomas Gibson's Final Episode

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Less than a week before Thomas Gibson's final episode of Criminal Minds, the CBS show has found his replacement.

Actor Damon Gupton has joined the crime show as a new series regular, set to make his debut in season 12's eighth episode. Gibson's last episode will air Wednesday.


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"Our BAU family is growing," Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer said in a statement. "We're excited to have Damon join the show and work alongside our amazing cast and crew."

Gupton will be joining the BAU with quite the law enforcement resume. In addition to his role on Bates Motel, the actor has played detectives on Empire, Prime Suspect, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. As for his character on Criminal Minds, Gupton is sure to shake things up as seasoned profiler Special Agent Stephen Walker, coming to the BAU from the Behavioral Analysis Program of the FBI.

While the show's Sept. 28 series premiere left little indication of how Gibson will be exiting, it did introduce Adam Rodriguez's FBI Fugitive Task Force Agent Luke Alvez as another full-time member.


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ET recently caught up with the Magic Mike star, where he dished all about his new character.

See more in the video below, and tune in to Criminal Minds on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.