A two-time Academy Award nominee is the latest star to join Showtime’s new one-hour drama series "Shameless."

The new cast member is actress Joan Cusack, who received Oscar nominations for "Working Girl" and "In & Out." Cusack will appear in all 12 episodes of the show, from Bonanza Productions in association with John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

She will play Sheila, an agoraphobic Chicago housewife who develops a special friendship with star William H. Macy’s character, Frank Gallagher.

"Shameless" goes into production this fall and will premiere on Showtime on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at 9 p.m. ET.