One more key Castle player has closed a deal to return if the veteran ABC crime drama is renewed for a ninth season. I’ve learned that Jon Huertas is set to continue as a regular on the show, joining star Nathan Fillion and co-star Seamus Dever. ABC has yet to make a renewal decision on the series as cast contracts still are being hammered out.

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Huertas plays Detective Javier Esposito, former Army Special Forces soldier who now works in the homicide division alongside Detective Kevin Ryan (Dever). Fillion, Huertas and Dever have been part of the core ensemble of Castle since the pilot, along with female lead Stana Katic and fellow original cast member Tamala Jones, who were not asked to come back for Season 9.

Also on track to come back are Castle supporting players Molly Quinn and Toks Olagundoye.

Huertas is repped by Innovative Artists and Marsh Entertainment.