Former Moonlight Hunk Ready For Love On The Mentalist

Eric Winter joins The Mentalist / CBS

CBS does like to keep promising stars on the network, whether or not their first (or second – we’re looking at you, O’Loughlin) series is a keeper. Ausiello just broke that Eric Winter (Moonlight, Brothers & Sisters, Days Of Our Lives) will join the cast of The Mentalist as a love interest for Van Pelt post-Rigsby.

Winter’s character, Craig O’Laughlin, is described as a former football player turned FBI agent who strikes up a flirtation with Amanda Righetti’s stunning CBI agent. No word on how many episodes Winter will be around, but we’re starting to wonder if his niche is The Other Guy in a love triangle. After all, his ADA Talbot was being set up as a love interest for Beth on Moonlight right under Mick’s undead nose; he played a potential husband for Bella on The Ex List despite everyone knowing she was meant to be with her best friend; and he vied for Kevin’s affections on Brothers & Sisters, although Scotty won out in the end. I don’t watch Days of Our Lives, but I’ll bet he was embroiled in a few love triangles there as well. Which begs the question: if Winter’s character is the one you don’t choose, what does the guy you do choose look like?