QUICK TAKE

PENNY JOHNSON JERALD JOINS ABC'S HIT SERIES "CASTLE" AS SERIES REGULAR

Actress Penny Johnson Jerald (Sherry Palmer on "24") has joined the hit series "Castle" as a series regular for Season 4. She'll make her debut in the season premiere, airing MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Jerald will play NYPD Police Captain Victoria Gates. Following the death in the Season 3 finale of Captain Roy Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson), she'll come to the station from Internal Affairs as his replacement. With the nickname "Iron Gates," Gates is as by-the-book as they come, and she instantly has an issue with Castle - "He's not a cop, he doesn't belong."

"Penny is an actress of extraordinary depth, versatility and experience. We are delighted to have her as a part of the 'Castle' family, and look forward to everything that she's going to bring to the role," said Andrew Marlowe, creator/executive producer of "Castle."

Returning for Season 4 will be Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, and Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle.

"Castle" is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Rob Bowman, Laurie Zaks, David Amann, and Armyan Bernstein.

For more information on "Castle," visit ABC.com