24‘s evil queen has found a new home on Castle.

Penny Johnson Jerald — best known as President Palmer’s diabolical wife on 24 — is joining the ABC hit as a series regular.

She’ll play Captain Victoria Gates, a by-the-book former Internal Affairs investigator who instantly clashes with Castle. Her nickname’s Iron Gates, so she’s clearly not someone you want to mess with.

Jerald replaces Ruben Santiago-Hudson, whose Captain Roy Montgomery was killed off in last May’s finale.

http://www.tvline.com/2011/07/castle-penny-johnson-jerald/

Now I like this move. I loved her on 24.

Keck's Exclusives: First Look: Castle's New Captain
Aug 16, 2011
by William Keck


Captain Montgomery, we hardly knew ya.

When "Castle" returns September 19, Kate Beckett (who, judging by this photo, we can now safely assume survives her cliffhanger shooting) will be taking marching orders from a new boss.

And not just any boss — but one played by actress Penny Johnson Jerald, who so deliciously terrorized "24's" early seasons as President Palmer's estranged wife, Sherry.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Castle-Captain-1036431.aspx