Criminal Minds Adds Adam Rodriguez as Series Regular

Meet your new Morgan.

CSI: Miami alum Adam Rodriguez is joining Criminal Minds as series regular next season, TVGuide.com has learned.

Rodriguez's yet-to-be-named character is an agent with the Fugitive Task Force who joins the BAU.

"We're thrilled to introduce a new special agent by adding the very talented Adam Rodriguez to our amazing cast," executive producer and showrunner Erica Messer said in a statement. "We have exciting storylines planned for his character and the entire BAU team as we head into our 12th season."
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Rodriguez fills the void left by Shemar Moore, who departed the series in March after 11 years playing Special Agent Derek Morgan. Last month, Messer told TVGuide.com that she wasn't sure if the newbie would be a regular or not, but she wanted to fill the spot one way or another -- especially with 12 unsubs on the loose next season.

"We don't want a shrinking cast," she said. "We want to have people in the field. Given that we have to go out and catch unsubs of the week and these serial killers out there, it feels like we can't be an agent down this year. We have to be full-steam ahead."

Shemar Moore on his Criminal Minds exit: "I'm proud of the way things ended for Derek Morgan"

Rodriguez most recently appeared on Jane the Virgin and Empire. His other credits include Ugly Betty, Necessary Roughness and The Night Shift.

Rodriguez will make his first appearance in the Season 12 premiere. Now the big question: Will he have his own "baby girl"?
Criminal Minds returns in the fall.
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