'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' spoilers, cast update: Alana De La Garza and Annie Funke join spin-off

Gary Sinise appears for the first time as Jack Garrett in "Criminal Minds" episode "Beyond Borders" CBS

"Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" is slowly building its ensemble. Just recently, two new actresses were announced as series regulars in the much-awaited "Criminal Minds" spin-off, which is going to be headlined by Gary Sinise. 

The first celebrity to hop on board is "Law & Order" alum Alana De La Garza, who was tapped to play the role of Clara,. Deadline describes the character as a "smart" and "well-traveled" cultural anthropologist who will be part of the International Response Team. Fans will see her in season 2 of "Scorpion" as well. 

The other actress joining the pack is Annie Funke. Fans will remember her from her stint in "A Most Violent Year" as well as "The Intern." She was also part of "The Affair" on Showtime. On "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders," she will play the role of a "fun" and "fearless" medical examiner named Mae. 

The spin-off follows an FBI division called Analysis Unit, which is responsible for helping American citizens who find themselves in plights in a foreign country. The show was already set up in a previous "Criminal Minds" installment, introducing Sinise as the lead. 

Sinise will portray the role of Jack who is the leader of the said FBI unit. Daniel Henney was introduced as Special Ops agent Matt while Tyler James Williams is set to play the character of tech expert Monty. As per Examiner, he will also be in charge of talking to the families of victims apart from doing his magic on the computers. 

Anna Gunn from "Breaking Bad" was also cast for "Beyond Borders" as Lily Gilbert. She starred in the "Criminal Minds" episode that introduced the show. However, she exited even before the new series was fully set in motion. Meanwhile, Erica Messer, who created its parent series, will serve as executive producer along with Mark Gordon and Nick Pepper. 

"Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" will officially kick off midseason on CBS. 

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.