Aunjanue Ellis joins "Mentalist"

Actress Aunjanue Ellis (L) and actor Benjamin Bratt, stars of the new NBC television network drama series ''E-Ring'' answer questions from television critics during the NBC Summer press tour during the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills July 24, 2005.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Meet the new boss on "The Mentalist."

Aunjanue Ellis has joined the cast of the sophomore CBS drama in a recurring role.

She will play the beautiful but tough new head of the California Bureau of Investigation who is installed after the resignation of the unit's former chief, Virgil Minelli, played by Gregory Itzin. (Itzin recently signed on to return to "24," reprising his role as former President Charles Logan.)

She is brought in to restore discipline and morale to the division after the murder of three agents, including Agent Sam Bosco (Terry Kinney), and will be the new supervisor of Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney).

The series revolves around Lisbon's team and the help they get from independent consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker).

Ellis' debut on "Mentalist" is tentatively slated for April.

The actress, who appeared in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," recently co-starred on Broadway in "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," by August Wilson, and wrapped the action film "Game of Death."