There's no new episode of The Mentalist this week, but there is news for fans to contemplate.

According to a CBS casting notice, the drama will add a new regular to the CBI unit in early 2010.

The character, Agent Beth Scott, is described as a forty-something, authoritative African American woman. She's a veteran in the California Bureau of Investigations headquarters and may remain on the show beyond this season.

The scoop raises two questions:

1. Is someone leaving the team?
2. Who should play the new character?

We await your answers and suggestions.

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