Mary Steenburgen to Recur on '30 Rock'

[Brian Damage]

Mary Steenburgen will join in on the fun at TGS when 30 Rock returns to NBC’s midseason lineup. (In other words, it’ll return later rather than sooner, dang it; NBC has yet to reveal its premiere date).

Steenburgen will play Charlotte, the highly spirited and attractive mother of Avery (Elizabeth Banks). The multi-episode role should be a gas because the uber-WASP Charlotte butts heads with Jack (Alec Baldwin).

The actress also begin a four-episode arc this Monday opposite husband/star Ted Danson on HBO’s Bored to Death. The role will be a huge stretch for Steenburgen: She’ll play a vocal coach-cum-love interest for her husband’s character George Christopher.

Steenburgen’s starred in this summer’s hit film The Help.

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