Megan Mullally is ready to 'Party Down'

Multiple Emmy winner Megan Mullally is set to join the cast of Starz' "Party Down" for the acclaimed comedy's second season. 

Starz says that Mullally will play Lydia Dunfree, who leaves her small town and her failed marriage to help her 13-year-old daughter Escapade achieve her dream of becoming an actress. In addition to working as a cater-waiter for Party Down, Lydia is looking for Mr. Right and it would seem she believes she can do both simultaneously.

"Megan is quite simply one of the most talented actresses in the entertainment business today," states Bill Hamm, EVP for originals production and development for Starz Media. "Her impeccable comic timing and multi-faceted acting skills make her a great fit for the show, and we can’t wait to see how she interacts with the show's terrific cast."

Mullally is effectively replacing Jane Lynch, who co-starred in "Party Down" for most of its first season. Lynch had to exit the series when her character on FOX's "Glee" was elevated from recurring to regular. Jennifer Coolidge filled in for Lynch at the end of the first season.

With stars Ken Marino, Adam Scott, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Lizzy Caplan all returning, "Party Down" will return to production in mid-September. Starz has tentatively set an April 2010 return date.

This is a quick bounce-back for Mullally after her ABC comedy "In the Motherhood" vanished following only a short midseason run. Mullally earned two Emmys and was nominated for five others for her work on NBC's "Will & Grace."

"I'm so excited to be joining 'Party Down,' one of my favorite TV shows," Mullally states. "I'm a big fan of the series and really thrilled to have an opportunity to work with such a terrific cast and talented group of writers."

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