JoBeth Williams

AOL TV has learned that Shonda Rhimes' newest ABC series, 'Scandal,' will share a lot more than a creator in common with the network's medical soaps 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice.'

Many of the guest stars booked to appear in the first season of 'Scandal,' which is scheduled to debut in early 2012, have also roamed the halls of Seattle Grace. Kate Burton and Jeff Perry, otherwise known as Ellis and Thatcher Grey, will both play Washington D.C. higher-ups in the new series, which stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a PR crisis management consultant who specializes in ushering politicians and other celebs through very public scandals.

Burton will recur as the Vice President starting in episode 5, while Perry plays the White House Chief of Staff. JoBeth Williams, who played Addison's mom on 'Private Practice,' will appear as a major client during the series' third episode.

It's been a wild ride for Julie Benz lately. Her character Rita Morgan was tragically killed off in the season four finale of 'Dexter,' and now she's playing a stripper taken in by Susan on 'Desperate Housewives.' Her run on that show has just been extended.

She also has a Hallmark Channel movie, 'Uncorked,' airing March 6. She plays a high-powered executive who's not looking to fall in love, but fate has a different plan when a business conference takes her to wine country.

We caught up with Benz and got the scoop on all her upcoming projects, including several feature films.