US TV

Whitaker reveals 'Minds' inspiration

Published Thursday, Feb 17 2011, 16:24 GMT | By Morgan Jeffery

Forest Whitaker has revealed that his interest in martial arts inspired aspects of his new show Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour.

In an interview on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the actor revealed that he had inspired the producer's decision to base the show's BAU team in a disused dojo.

"They found out that I had studied martial arts, and because we were working with the FBI and behavioural analysts, they thought that they would put us somewhere away from [the FBI headquarters in] Quantico."

He continued: "I just report directly to the head of the FBI, so they set it up in a dojo, so that you can see... as soon as we walk in, what kind of team we are."

Whitaker suggested that the dojo also highlights the physical prowess of the show's crime-solving characters.

"All the guys are fighting at different times and training before we go in to do the mental work," he explained.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour continues on Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.