The cast of THE AGENCY
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AGENCY Casting Changes

Beau Bridges is joining the cast of CBS' frosh series THE AGENCY.

The veteran actor will be taking on the role of the newly appointed head of the CIA. His character takes over for the soon to be ousted Alex Pierce, played by Ronny Cox. Cox is exiting the series.

In addition, actor Daniel Benzali will be returning for at least four more episodes. The actor appeared in the program's third episode playing the role of a shadowy agent, a role he will be reprising.

Cox will exit the show on an episode airing on December 20. For the next few weeks, Benzali's character will act as interim director, until Bridges comes on in mid-January.

While talking to Variety, executive producer Shaun Cassidy spoke of the casting shuffle, saying, "Ronny's a fantastic actor, but we found ourselves backed into a corner with his character. He was the ultimate insider in a room filled with insiders, so it became a challenge for anyone to ask a question about what was going on."

Bridges' character will not be the CIA vet Cox's was. Cassidy says he'll be "a real man of the streets, a war hero who ran for Congress. He'll come in and operate much like Eliot Ness, shaking things up. He'll ask the questions (viewers) might ask if they were in the room."