'NCIS: New Orleans' season 3 news, updates: Cast members give back; New series regular expected to bring sass to show

"NCIS: New Orleans" season 3 is expected to be one thrilling ride especially as Dwayne Pride's team is put under tight scrutiny following a successful assignment towards the season 2 finale. Moreover, it looks like a newcomer would be investigating Pride and his team when season 3 returns.

The season 2 ender saw Pride's (Scott Bakula) take down a Homeland Security agent who, oddly enough, was anti-military. Fans saw Sonja Percy (Shalita Grant) disarming a bomb meant to blow the city's port while Meredith Brody (Zoe McLellan) took agent John Russo down. Russo works for the government, but is against the military, prompting him to do what he did.

Pride's team closed the case and save the city, but apparently, they ruffled a few feathers when they took on the assignment, which was why they were placed on administrative leave. When "NCIS: New Orleans" season 3 returns to the small screen, viewers will see Vanessa Ferlito ("Graceland) investigating Pride, Brody, Chris LaSalle (Lucas Black), and the rest of the team.

"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," said showrunner Brad Kern in a statement posted on CBS' website.

Ferlito will be cast as FBI Special Agent Garlan, a tough, sassy, by-the-book agent who left the Crescent City a decade ago. Her knowledge of the city was what made the FBI bring her down from DC to investigate the team.

Her bureaucratic way of handling things and her mysterious past will see her at odds with Pride, the team, and the town, according to Deadline.

Meanwhile, as they wait for the return of their show, the stars of "NCIS: New Orleans" have been busy with other things, among those, giving back to the New Orleans Police Department.

The cast recently sent the NOPD a gift basket of smiling teddy bear cookies dressed as police officers. An accompanying card read, "We stand tall with you. Thank you for your continued support. From the cast and crew."

The main attraction of the gift was a badge-shaped cookie in the middle is decorated with yellow icing and says "POLICE." The NOPD proudly gave the cast and crew a shout-out on Twitter.

"NCIS: New Orleans" season 3 premieres on Sept. 20, 9 p.m., on CBS.