Smallscreen News

Mental for Simon Baker

By April MacIntyre Sep 25, 2009, 2:58 GMT

Australia actor Simon Baker "The Mentalist" season two premieres tonight at 10 on CBS, and Baker plays Patrick Jane - a former TV psychic huckster who one night becomes a serial murderer\'s prey, suffers an unimaginable loss, and turns his life over to the California Bureau of Investigation with his honest abilities of deduction and observational prowess. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Two names define the quality of the returning CBS detective show that appeals on so many levels: Simon Baker and Bruno Heller.

Writer/producer Heller brought us HBO’s two season lush drama of “Rome”, and actor Simon Baker was the cad in “Devil Wears Prada” and the star of CBS short-lived “Smith.”

"The Mentalist" season two premieres tonight at 10 on CBS, and Baker plays Patrick Jane - a former TV psychic huckster who one night becomes a serial murderer's prey, suffers an unimaginable loss, and turns his life over to the California Bureau of Investigation with his honest abilities of deduction and observational prowess.

At the past TCA's, producers promised that viewers will see a more gritty show this season, thanks to the new later timeslot.

Also hinted were ramped up flirtations between Jane and Robin Tunney's Agent Teresa Lisbon, and Jane's nemesis Red John, whose murders will be more graphic.

"The Mentalist" star Simon Baker spoke to Extra about how he avoids Hollywood scandal -- and keeps his name out of the tabloids!

"I don't think there's much scandal in my life, so I'm not really a magnet for it," Simon admitted to "Extra" of staying out of the limelight. "I work and live in a sort of hermetically sealed environment. I'm either at work or I'm at home with my family."

Baker's family includes three children with his wife of 11 years, Rebecca Rigg, whom he met on an Aussie soap opera. "It's funny because we didn't actually work that well together. She started acting when she was 11 and it was my first gig."

Simon went on to steal America's heart as bad boy Christian Thompson in "The Devil Wears Prada," before landing the lead role in  "The Mentalist," which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor.

"The Mentalist" airs Thursdays at 10 PM on CBS.