Jennifer Esposito joins 'NCIS' cast for season 14

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Jennifer Esposito raising awareness for celiac disease

Actress' condition went undiagnosed for years

"NCIS" has recruited "Blue Bloods" alum Jennifer Esposito to help fill the void left by Michael Weatherly's departure last spring.

CBS announced Monday that Esposito will join the series in the Season 14 premiere as Alex Quinn, "an experienced agent who left field work and became an instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Center." Gibbs (Mark Harmon) will recruit her to the team at the top of the season.

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"We couldn't be happier to have Jennifer Esposito joining us for season 14," executive producer Gary Glasberg said in a statement. "She embodies everything that we hoped for in the character of Quinn and we can't wait to have her come be a part of our team."

The news is slightly surprising, since Esposito left "Blue Bloods," another CBS drama, in a controversial fashion. She accused CBS in 2012 of firing her from the show due to her Celiac's disease, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"CBS didn't listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS ... (i)mplied that I was NOT truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise!" She tweeted at the time. "It's been almost two months without (bringing) me back to work + keeping (m)e from working anywhere else! ... Absolutely shameful behavior."

Guess there were no hard feelings at the network.

"NCIS" season 14 returns Tuesday, Sept. 20 on CBS.