The production for the Criminal Minds spin-off has begun, as evidenced by an image posted on Twitter by actor Joe Mantegna, who plays David Rossi on the show.

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Mantegna posted a behind-the-scenes picture featuring himself with Gary Sinise, who is playing the lead in the spin-off. Both actors are seen smiling for the camera with the Criminal Minds logo in the backdrop.

"Welcome my pal @GarySinise to the Criminal Minds family!" he tweeted.

Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn has also recently been cast in the Criminal Minds spin-off.

TVLine reported that Gunn will be co-starring with Gary Sinise in the series. Gunn portrays Ally Lambert.

Entertainment Weekly reported that James would play a character that is "sweet and incredibly smart. As the team's tech analyst, Monty stays at home while the team works abroad. His attention to detail and kind manner are invaluable as he liaises with the families of those in trouble and uses his tech savvy to help the team fill in the holes as they search for a killer far from home."

Previously, it had been revealed that Sinise will be playing the lead role in the show.

Deadline broke the news on January 16. CBS president, Nina Tassler, recently spoke to TVLine about how they were approaching the new spin-off, keeping in mind the defunct Suspect Behavior, which was the first attempt at a shoot off of Criminal Minds.

"Do it better," Tassler said when the aked what lessons they might have learned from Suspect Behavior. She went on to reveal that Criminal Minds showrunner Erica Messer would be helming this project as well, and was currently working on the pilot. Tassler went on to state that Messer was "an extraordinary writer and one of the best showrunners in our business. That is one of the key differences from our previous spinoff."

The announcement about the new spinoff was made last month. Entertainment Weekly reported that the project will be about a "division of the FBI that helps American citizens who find themselves in trouble abroad." The episode which will give fans a taste of the spinoff will air later in season 10 of Criminal Minds. But the new show is set to have a new star cast.

The report also revealed that the spin-off pilot will be shot in February next year. Criminal Minds's Erica Messer will be helming this project as well, and Mark Gordon and Nick Pepper will be serving as executive producers.

Watch the preview for the latest episode, Hero, here:

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Criminal Minds, CBS, Television