Joe Mantegna Joins 'Criminal Minds'

Joe Mantegna is set to fill the "Criminal Minds" vacuum left by departing star Mandy Patinkin.

Ed Bernero, showrunner on the CBS hit drama, made the announcement on Friday (Aug. 10) on a "Criminal Minds" fan blog.

"We are very excited to tell you all that Joe Mantegna is officially joining the cast of 'Criminal Minds,'" Bernero wrote. "Thanks for hanging with us, everyone."

After two years playing FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit leader Jason Gideon, Patinkin left "Criminal Minds" last month. In a statement that followed a week of swirling rumors, both sides said the departure was due to that favorite Hollywood condition of "creative differences."

A number of names, including most prominently Geena Davis and Harvey Keitel, had been reported as Patinkin's potential replacement and it's still unclear what function Mantegna's character will play on the "Criminal Minds," when he'll be introduced and if he'll be the season's only major new cast addition.

Mantegna is a three-time Emmy nominee including a nod this year for his work on USA's "The Starter Wife." His last two regular network series gigs were with CBS, on "Joan of Arcadia" and "First Monday." On the big screen, the David Mamet regular has been seen in "House of Games," "The Godfather III" and "Baby's Day Out."