CRIMINAL MINDS Season 9 - Interview with Esai Morales

You may know Esai Morales from NYPD Blue or the Battlestar Galactica prequel, Caprica . But right now everyone is talking about his role on the hit crime drama, Criminal Minds . Mr. Morales joined the cast for their ninth season portraying the new section chief, Matt Cruz.

Mr. Morales recently took some time out of his busy schedule to talk about acting and, specifically, about his role on Criminal Minds!

Tell us about yourself.
I am an actor and an activist of Puertorican descent. I have a great desire to learn and not just conform with what's on the surface. I believe in social justice and education. I am the proud parent of beautiful 3 year old girl. I like to box and play tennis.

How did you first become interested in acting?
I remember being very inspired by the movie A Dog Day Afternoon with Al Pacino. However, since I was a child I had a very vivid imagination. I learned how to read and never looked back.

What is the audition process like for a film or television series?
It varies from project to project. I am fortunate to be having more and more straight offers bypassing the audition process. When I do get to audition it is still challenging and in some level fun.

You have a very extensive filmography; do you have a favorite project you have worked on?
One of my favorite projects is...

To Read More: RachelHerriman.com

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 9 - Meet the New BAU Boss. What's His History with JJ?

by Joyce Eng

The BAU will get a new boss on Wednesday's Criminal Minds, but he's an old, familiar face to one person.

Unbeknown to the rest of the team, JJ (A.J. Cook) has a history with newly instated section chief Mateo "Matt" Cruz (Esai Morales), with whom she worked at the State Department during her year away from the BAU. But don't think she recommended him for the vacated position (RIP Strauss!).

"She is completely shocked he's there. She is flipping out!" Morales tells TVGuide.com. "It's kind of funny. He plays it cool, but she doesn't know how to react. She definitely was not expecting to see him walk through the door, that's for sure."

It's especially shocking because Cruz arrives to the BAU on Wednesday's episode (9/8c, CBS) just hours after he and JJ have a not exactly covert...

To Read More: TVGuide.com

Exclusive: Esai Morales Joins Criminal Minds as New Section Chief

by Joyce Eng

The BAU has a new boss.

NYPD Blue and Caprica star Esai Morales has joined Criminal Minds as the new BAU section chief, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

Morales will recur as Matt Cruz, a longtime FBI agent who gets promoted to work with the BAU and has a previous professional relationship with JJ (A.J. Cook) that will be revealed as the season progresses. Might they have worked together during...?

To Read More: TVGuide.com