Rob Morrow's Got Your Numb3r

Now in its second season, the CBS drama "Numb3rs" is catching on fast. The plot revolves around two brothers who use mathematics to solve complicated crimes.

Inspired by actual cases, the series shows how the analysis of numbers can provide unexpected answers to the most perplexing criminal questions. It also shows the fascinating dynamic between two brothers who could hardly be more different.

Rob Morrow stars as a streetwise FBI agent named Don Eppes. He visited The Early Show Thursday and told co-anchor Rene Syler that sometimes the personal stories are the most interesting part of the show.

"There's been an aspect of the characters that I wanted to explore since I started doing research, which is the burden that this life puts on one, and their potential to have families and relationships," he said. "It's taken us a while to evolve the show to a point where we can explore these things."

Morrow, who got his big break in the well-loved series "Northern Exposure," says he's grateful not only for the success of his new show, but for the experience it has given him as an actor.

"I've made a good living for a long time now. Even in my down years I've always kind of worked, whether it's low profile stuff," said Morrow. "But it's the idea of working with these people that I really love, these people that create the show, that run the show. I can't say it's not stressful and difficult, but it's a good time. It's fun."

And when Morrow says fun, he means scenes like the one in which he's in a shoot-out with the Russian mob.

"Must have been 40 guys between the ages of 25 and 40 and it was insane," he said. "We're all shooting automatic weapons and there's smoke and it's really crazy and they yell 'Cut!' and you see every one of us stand up with the biggest grins on our faces."

Visiting CBS brought Morrow, 43, from Los Angeles back to his hometown New York, and that's an experience he says he always enjoys.

"I am a New Yorker, and I forget sometimes because you get used to the nice, easy life in L.A.," he said. "There's an energy, there's a compression here. As soon as you get here you get an energy and a vitality. I feel very creative here, and young for some reason."

Morrow is married to the actress Debbon Ayer. They have a daughter named Tu Morrow.

"Numb3rs" airs on CBS on Friday nights, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.