Joe Mantegna has signed on as the new star of CBS' procedural Criminal Minds, EW has confirmed.
The 59-year-old actor will replace Mandy Patinkin, who suddenly announced in July that he would be leaving the show over ''creative differences.'' There are no details yet as to the character Mantegna will play, or exactly when he will start. (Patinkin is expected to shoot one more episode.)
Executive producer Ed Bernero made the casting announcement on Friday on the Criminal Minds Fanatic Blog, where he also downplayed rumors that Harvey Keitel was going to sign on. In fact, EW has learned, Keitel was a near-lock, but negotiations ultimately fell apart over the actor's demands for creative control and perks.
Mantegna's previous TV credits include the series Joan of Arcadia (also on CBS) and, most recently, the USA miniseries The Starter Wife.
