Echikunwoke joins cast of 'CSI: Miami'

Los Angeles -- U.S. actress Megalyn Echikunwoke has joined the cast of "CSI: Miami" as a series regular, CBS has announced.

Echikunwoke is to play medical examiner Dr. Tara Price. She reportedly is replacing the character portrayed by Khandi Alexander, who left the show last season.

The seventh season of the series, which stars David Caruso, Emily Procter, Adam Rodriguez, Jonathan Togo, Rex Linn, Eva La Rue and Evan Ellingson, is to begin airing Sept. 22, the network said.

"Megalyn Echikunwoke is an exciting addition to 'CSI: Miami,'" Ann Donahue, one of the series' executive producers, said in a statement. "She brings savvy and humor to her role of Dr. Tara Price, a young medical examiner whose methods are on the cutting edge of technology."

Echikunwoke was most recently seen in the TV series "The 4400." She has also appeared on "That '70s Show," "24," "Veronica Mars," "ER," "Supernatural," "Boston Public" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.