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Adam Rodriguez Joins ‘Criminal Minds’ After Shemar Moore’s Abrupt Exit

Adam Rodriguez
Adam Rodriguez has joined Criminal Minds.Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Another hottie is on the way! Adam Rodriguez has been added as a series regular on Criminal Minds, CBS announced on Wednesday, June 8.

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According to a press release, Rodriguez, 41, will play a special agent on the FBI Fugitive Task Force in the Behavioral Analysis Unit.

“We have exciting story lines planned for his character and the entire Behavioral Analysis Unit team as we head into our 12th season,” executive producer and showrunner Erica Messer said in a statement.

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Rodriguez is best known for playing Tito in the Magic Mike franchise (those shirtless scenes!) and appearing on shows such as Reckless, Empire and Jane the Virgin.

Shemar Moore Mike Coppola/Getty Images

The news of Rodriguez’s role comes nearly three months after Shemar Moore‘s abrupt, heartbreaking departure. The veteran Criminal Minds star, 46, opened up about his decision to leave the series in an interview with TVLine.

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“I love what I do for a living, I love it from ‘action’ to ‘cut’, but I also want to walk my dogs, travel, get married, have kids. I want balance, and it’s hard to do with the schedule that we have,” he said in March. “I didn’t direct, I didn’t write, but I grew, and I’m leaving because I want to continue to grow as an actor. I’m leaving to see what else I’m capable of.”

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