Debra Messing has been absent from the small screen since her Emmy nominated turn on the USA miniseries The Starter Wife, but that is about to change.

Messing will appear on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this February, portraying a television journalist working to expose pedophiles, as the SVU detectives must step in when her character's life is put in danger. 

"Behind every great comic actor is dramatic talent, and Debra Messing is no exception," said Executive Producer Neal Baer.  "We've had the great fortune to work with some of the best comedy stars of our time and it's a no-brainer to bring Debra on 'SVU' to surprise and engage us."

Messing is a five-time Emmy nominee and a six-time Golden Globe nominee for her role as Grace Adler in Will and Grace. She won the Emmy in 2003.

Jeffrey Kirkpatrick is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.