Forest Whitaker - Whitaker Signed Up To Criminal Minds Spin-Off For Kids

Oscar winner FOREST WHITAKER jumped at the chance to star in a spin-off to hit TV drama CRIMINAL MINDS because the filming schedule allows him to spend more time with his family.

The Last King of Scotland star, who previously starred in TV drama The Shield, was asked to front the upcoming cop series by bosses at America's CBS network earlier this year (10) and he admits returning to the small screen was an easy decision to make.

He says, "They approached me at the right time - I have two children who are 11 and 13, and I want to see them."

But Whitaker insists his TV stint will not put an end to his Hollywood career as an actor and director.

He adds, "I don't see boundaries like other people do. I'll do whatever. I'll do a video. I'll go direct. I just like to create. And I'm having a great time on the show.

"Sometimes I think, 'Am I going to have enough discipline? Am I going to be disciplined enough to get up and write (movies) when I need to?' Otherwise, when I’m doing it (TV show), it’s a blast - I won’t do as many movies. I’ll do one a year; I’ll try not to do two. So one movie a year - that’s what most of my peers do anyway."

Whitaker and his wife Keisha are parents to young girls Sonnet and True. The actor also has two older children, daughter Autumn and son Ocean, from previous relationships.