'NCIS: New Orleans' season 3 casting news and spoilers: Premiere date set for Sept. 20, Vanessa Ferlito joins cast as series regular

The Naval investigative team of "NCIS: New Orleans" is all set to return for its much-anticipated season 3 scheduled to air in the Fall, along with a new agent to make the storyline even more interesting. Actress Vanessa Ferlito has been confirmed as the newest addition to the CBS procedural as a series regular, and similar to her role in the USA network series "Graceland," she will give life to another FBI agent.

Ferlito will portray a character named Agent Garlan, and her first order of business when she returns to Crescent City is to share her knowledge and investigation expertise to the rest of the NCIS team. According to TV Line, the character is described as "a sexy, tough and acerbic FBI Special Agent who is sent down to New Orleans from DC to investigate the NCIS team. A by-the-book bureaucrat, she'll bring a completely different way of doing things — as well as a mysterious past, natch — to New Orleans, which will put her at odds with both the team and the town."

In a press statement, executive producer Brad Kern shared his thoughts on the action-drama's new cast member, saying: "We're beyond excited to have Vanessa join our show and are look forward to adding her distinctive personality and edge to our amazing NCIS: New Orleans cast."

It remains to be seen how the NCIS team will react to Agent Garland's arrival, but hopefully, her personality will jive well with the other members. Season 2 wrapped up with an intense and action-packed finale as a Homeland security agent got involved in a case, which only means that more thrilling episodes are up ahead when the show returns later this year.

Tune in to all-new episodes of "NCIS: New Orleans" season 3 which premieres on Sept. 20, Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST on CBS.