Karina Lombard has been cast on NCIS - as Ziva's longtime friend and mentor!

Lombard’s character, named Monique Lisson, was first alluded to in September's Season 9 premiere, "Nature of the Beast," during which Ziva made mention of a female friend she had in Central America.

EP Gary Glasberg told TV Line that he planned to “introduce Ziva’s [version of Mike] Franks - someone who’s going to sort of guide her a little bit in figuring out what she wants from life, professionally.”

Monique, typically for NCIS, has a secretive past of her own, of course.

NCIS returns with new episodes March 20, but Lombard will appear sometime in April. Her TV and film resume includes The L Word, Rescue Me, CSI, CSI: NY, Legends of the Fall and other projects.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.