An actress who has become an institution on TV dramas is set to help launch a new ABC comedy. The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed reports that Sharon Gless, known for her roles in “Cagney & Lacey," "Judging Amy” and “Burn Notice,” will co-star in the pilot “Saint Francis."

Gless won Emmys in 1986 and 1987 for her portrayal of Det. Sgt. Christine Cagney on the CBS cop show "Cagney & Lacey," a role for which she received six of her 10 Emmy nominations. She was also nominated twice for the CBS drama series "The Trials of Rosie O’Neill," and received nods for "Burn Notice" and "Nip/Tuck."

The new comedy is about a gruff Long Island police officer and family man, played by Michael Imperioli, who has a tough time with the realities of modern life when his 29-year-old sister gets pregnant outside of marriage. Gless will play the mother, a tough Irish-Catholic woman who also isn’t pleased about her daughter’s pregnancy.

Gless is coming off a long run on the USA spy drama "Burn Notice," which wrapped last year after seven seasons, the report notes.

Sharon Gless