Kinney joining 'Mentalist' cast

LOS ANGELES, July 10 (UPI) -- Terry Kinney has signed on to join the cast of the U.S. television drama "The Mentalist," CBS announced.

Starting this fall, the former "Oz" and "The Unusuals" star will play the recurring role of Agent Sam Bosco, "a seemingly flat-footed policeman with a deceptively sharp intelligence," the network said in a news release.

"He leads the CBI Serial Crimes Unit and is brought in to oversee the Red John case. His by-the-book approach serves as a constant irritation to Patrick Jane," CBS said. "In turn, his hatred of Jane's unorthodox methods and his determination to oust Jane from the CBI make him a truly worthy adversary. Earlier in his career he also served as Lisbon's boss and a dark secret from their shared past clouds their current relationship." Simon Baker plays Jane and Robin Tunney portrays Lisbon.

"The Mentalist" is slated to begin its second season Sept. 24.