Fans of "The Mentalist" should be poised for a thrilling season that will be unlike any of the others. The CBS FBI drama will feature two new characters after the exit of two principal characters, in addition to the unmasking of the killer that has been hunted for the show's five previous seasons.
According to TVLine, two new characters are joining the cast as series regulars. The first character being cast is Kim Fischer, a smart, attractive ex-homicide detective in her thirties who hails from Dallas, TX. Fischer will be a tough detective, and will not be afraid to stand up for her principles. The second character who will join the cast is Nick Abbott, an African-American detective who is a graduate of West Point and served in the Iraq War. Although he can remain calm during a crisis, he is not a person to be trifled with. The two characters, who will reportedly join the show in early 2014, have not yet been assigned actors.
The two new characters will take the space left by two characters who are exiting the show, Van Pelt and Rigsby. Van Pelt has been played by Amanda Righetti since the show's inception, and Rigsby has been played by Owain Yeoman. The original cast members will be exiting the show at the end of season six. The departure of the two cohorts and on-again, off-again lovers will most likely tie into the reveal of Red John. Red John, the madman who killed faux psychic-turned-FBI consultant Patrick Jane's (Simon Baker) wife and daughter, will finally be revealed, bringing a six-season mystery to an end. The denouement of the principal story line will reportedly point the show in a new direction.
Series creator Bruno Heller told TVLine that he could "neither confirm nor deny" that the characters are exiting due to the murderer's unmasking. Yet, Heller did hint that the show will enjoy a "most dramatic and game changing season and anything can happen."
"The Mentalist" will return to CBS on Monday, September 30.