It will, we just don't know when. And when it does, it'll likely be for the last time.

The show came uncomfortably close to cancelation this spring, but was renewed at the last minute for a seventh season, due to premiere some time this winter. However, multiple (unofficial) sources say this season will be the last.

Deadline.com cites anonymous sources saying this will be the final round, and showrunner Bruno Heller hinted the same thing in an interview with "The Hollywood Reporter."

The new season will be "like an encore," he said. "The purpose of an encore is to get people leaving the theater happy and giving them what they want ... so that will be the intention."

Rumors are also saying that Heller will only get 12 episodes to fulfill that intention, instead of the usual 22. That fits with the bump to midseason.

This is actually a bad news/good news situation for Heller, who would certainly be happy to see his creation continue forever, but whose attention is already being split by his new creation, Fox's "Gotham."

The fact that "Gotham" was recently picked up for a full 22-episode season and is considered one of the new season's early hits will certainly cushion the pain of saying goodbye to "The Mentalist."

In the meantime, though, there's a seventh season to make, and with that in mind, the producers have signed on a number of guest stars.

Morena Baccarin will reprise her role as Erika Flynn, who got the better of Patrick Jane (Simon Baker, "The Guardian") in two previous guest appearances.

As well, Lisbon's (Robin Tunney, "Prison Break") two younger brothers will appear this season. Stan Lisbon will be played by Derek Phillips, who most recently played Travis Murphy on A&E's now-canceled "Longmire." Jimmy Lisbon will be played by Rob Belushi, son of comedic great Jim Belushi and a former supporting playing on "How I Met Your Mother" (he played Linus the bartender).

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