Debra Messing Joins Cast of Smash

Debra Messing is taking aim at Glee. Sort of.

The former Will & Grace star is the first name to sign on for Smash, the upcoming NBC series that will focus on a group of Broadway performers.

As first reported by Michael Ausiello, Messing will return to the small screen as Julia. The columnist describes that character as a "good-natured lyricist who is slow to embrace the commercially-iffy subject matter."

That subject matter? Marilyn Monroe. Sounds... interesting.