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 recently on a "Criminal Minds" fan blog.

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 Gina 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."

'Crossing Jordan' star pregnant

It didn't take a medical examiner to determine that "Crossing Jordan" star Jill Hennessy was pregnant.

The actress appeared at a party for Hamptons magazine visibly showing a baby bump and confirmed speculation that she's expecting a child, reports People.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I think it's just too much beer and burritos," she joked, adding, "No, no, no ... I'm almost six months pregnant with a boy."

This will be Hennessy's second child with husband Paolo Mastropietro. They have a son, Marco, soon to be 4. The newcomer is due at the end of the year.

"I'm definitely less worried, much more relaxed about it this time around," says Hennessy. "I'm still dying to meet this little person, but now I've got a pretty good idea about what will happen over the next few months and how uncomfortable I will be, especially if I go past my due date, which I did with Marco."

The actress also has another project in the works for later in the year.

"I'm working on a CD. We should have it done by fall," she says. "I want to get some quality time with this dude, especially in the first few months of lactation, and then maybe even tour. Music is actually what I did before I acted."