'Criminal Minds' spinoff finds female lead

9:45 PM PDT 10/13/2010 by Nellie Andreeva, AP

Beau Garrett to star opposite Forest Whitaker in series

Beau Garrett has landed the female lead on CBS' "Criminal Minds" spinoff.

The project, from ABC Studios, the Mark Gordon Co. and CBS Studios, will be introduced in the spring on an episode of "Criminal Minds."

It revolves around a new group of profilers, led by Cooper (Forest Whitaker), who work outside the FBI bureaucracy.

Garrett will play Gina, a tough girl and recent FBI recruit who is loyal to Cooper and the object of Mick's (Matt Ryan) flirting.

Last year, Garrett played the female lead on ABC's pilot "Empire State," which was also produced by ABC Studios and the Mark Gordon Co.

Her feature credits include "4: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and the upcoming "Tron Legacy."

Garrett is repped by ICM and manager Sean Fay of KLWG.