Aunjanue Ellis has climbed aboard the sophomore CBS drama The Mentalist in a heavily recurring role.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, she will play the beautiful but tough new head of the California Bureau of Investigation who is installed following 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 Agent Teresa Lisbon's (Robin Tunney) new supervisor.

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

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