NCIS: Los Angeles lands Nia Long as a series regular for season 9

There's a new boss in town.

Nia Long is joining NCIS: Los Angeles as a series regular in season 9, CBS announced Monday. The Boyz N the Hood star will play Shay Mosely, a former Secret Service agent who is taking over as the team's new executive assistant director. "Mosely is an experienced Washington insider who brings an east coast style and demeanor to the west coast team," reads the press release.

"The character was created specifically for Nia to capitalize on her strengths and personality, and we are excited about the new opportunities and dynamics she brings to the show," said executive producer R. Scott Gemmill in a statement. "We couldn't be happier to have her join our family."

Long recently recurred on both Netflix's Dear White People and Fox's Empire. Her previous credits also include Amazon's Hand of God, Keanu, Friday, and Soul Food.

This isn't the only big casting news for the long-running franchise. Last Thursday, CBS announced that Maria Bello joined the cast of the mothership series in a "mischievous" role.

Long will make her debut in the season 9 premiere, which airs Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9:30 p.m. on CBS.