Joan Cusack Gets 'Shameless' on Showtime

Showtime's new drama 'Shameless' just added another star.

Oscar-nominated actress Joan Cusack has joined the cast for all 12 episodes of the series, which is based on the long-running British show of the same name, the network announced today.

Cusack will play a Chicago housewife named Sheila who befriends William H. Macy's Frank Gallagher. 'Shameless' follows Macy's Gallagher and his dysfunctional working-class family of six children, who are being raised by his oldest daughter (Emmy Rossum) while he causes trouble and drinks.

Cusack was last heard in Pixar's 'Toy Story 3,' and appeared onscreen recently in 'My Sister's Keeper' and 'Confessions of a Shopaholic.' She also starred in the TV movie 'Acceptance' with 'Parenthood''s Mae Whitman last year.

'Shameless' premieres Sun., Jan. 9 at 9PM ET. Production on the first season begins in mid-September.