'Dexter' and 'Buffy' alum Julie Benz is heading back to genre TV with a role in the ABC drama pilot 'No Ordinary Family', says The Hollywood Reporter.

The show stars 'Shield' and 'Fantastic Four' vet Michael Chiklis as the head of a super-powered family. Benz will co-star as Chiklis' wife, a sexy scientist who develops super speed (the power, not the drug).

Despite the drab title, 'No Ordinary Family' is shaping up to be a must-see. Chiklis and Benz are two of TV's top actors, and the pilot is the brainchild of producer Greg Berlanti, a guy who knows a thing or two about creating compelling family drama (see 'Everwood', 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'Brothers & Sisters').

Berlanti is also a producer and writer on DC/Warner Bros.' upcoming 'Green Lantern' flick, which gives him (and this project) a nice big dose of geek cred.

It's great to see Benz landing a lead gig on a promising new show. I guess we'll see her 'Desperate Housewives' storyline wrap up soon if the pilot goes to series.

Let's hope 'Family' will give her another meaty and unforgettable character to play, like Darla on 'Buffy'/'Angel' and, of course, (Spoiler here!) the doomed Rita from 'Dexter'.