Australian actor Simon Baker signed a new deal worth $30 million to reprise his role in The Mentalist for another season. Baker now earns $430,000 per episode for the crime investigation series.

In The Mentalist, Baker plays Patrick Jane a consultant to California Bureau of Investigation. Baker's character aids the police in investigating homicides using his unorthodox methods, and in pursuing a mysterious serial killer dubbed as Red John who murdered Jane's own family.

Currently on its third season, The Mentalist continues to rate well. It has drawn 15.6 million viewers on its first episode, and was popular among critics, receiving praise for its "thoughtful execution." For his performance in the television series, Simon received nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild in their Best Actor category. Baker himself recently dabble in directing an episode for the series, Red Moon.

The third season of The Mentalist is now on its 10th episode, which aired last December 9th. The next episode Bloodsport will air on January 6th. In his home country Australia, The Mentalist airs on Channel 9.