'Lost' heroine Lilly joins 'Hobbit' cast

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, June 20 (UPI) -- Actress Evangeline Lilly has joined the cast of "The Hobbit," which is now shooting in New Zealand, director Peter Jackson announced via Facebook Monday.

Lilly is best known for her work on the supernatural mystery series "Lost." She also for several years dated actor Dominic Monaghan, who co-starred in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy which was set after the events to be depicted in "The Hobbit."

"Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character -- the Woodland Elf, Tauriel," TVGuide.com quoted Jackson as saying on Facebook. "Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life."

Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis are reprising their "Rings" roles for the two-part prequel.