This fall, Terry Kinney joins the cast of The Mentalist as Sam Bosco, the head of the California Bureau of Investigation’s Serial Crimes Unit.

He comes in to assist the team with the Red John case, but soon clashes with Patrick Jane and tries to oust him from the CBI.

In a new interview, the former Oz stars speaks to TV Guide Magazine about the role. Here are a few excerpts from it:

On his character:  He's someone who had a former relationship, and was a mentor to, Robin Tunney's character. He doesn't really buy what Patrick Jane does. He doesn't really buy all the hocus pocus. So he's very much by the book, and he's a very well-trained and disciplined guy.

On Emmy Award nominee Simon Baker: He's so completely charming to me, and to have to pretend like he's not would be a lot of fun.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.