When 'The Middle' returns for its third season, it'll have one very funny addition: 'Saturday Night Live' veteran Molly Shannon!

According to TVLine, Shannon will play Janet, Frankie's (Patricia Heaton) sister. Shannon is set to recur on the series.

'The Middle' returns on Sept. 21 at 8PM with Heaton's former 'Everybody Loves Raymond' husband, Ray Romano as a guest star. Romano will play a man from Frankie's past.

In other casting news ...

Bryan Cranston will lend his voice to 'The Simpsons.' The 'Breaking Bad' star will play Stradivarius Cain, a Hollywood action hero who comes to Homer in a vision after a head injury. [EW]

'Law & Order' vet Eisa Davis has joined the cast of 'Hart of Dixie.' Davis will play Addy, a nurse and confidante to Rachel Bilson's lead character. [TVLine]

Liam Nesson and Helena Bonham Carter have booked guest roles on 'Life's Too Short.' The HBO/BBC comedy co-created by Ricky Gervias and Stephen Merchant stars Warwick Davis as a fake version of himself. [Broadway World]

'NewsRadio' and 'King of the Hill' star Stephen Root is guesting on 'Raising Hope.' Root will play Sabrina's father in an episode set to air this fall. [TVLine]

Andrea Parker is in and Jessica Hecht out on 'Desperate Housewives.' Parker will play Jane, a new love interest for Tom Scavo. Miguel Ferrer will play an art instructor at a local college Susan enrolls in. [Deadline]