LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- American actress Mena Suvari is joining the cast of the HBO drama "Six Feet Under," a move that re-teams her with "American Beauty" writer Alan Ball.
Suvari will appear in six episodes during the upcoming season, playing a student at the art school where Claire Fisher -- played by series regular Lauren Ambrose -- studies.
Ball told The Hollywood Reporter the character will have a significant influence on the development of Claire, the painfully self-conscious young woman whose family owns and operates a funeral parlor in their Los Angeles home.
"She's very independent, very self-motivated, very edgy and in a lot of ways much more grown-up than she should be considering how young she is," said Ball. "She and Claire influence each other both artistically and personally."
Ball said the part had been difficult to cast, and he was glad to get Suvari -- who has mainly concentrated on feature films.
"I'm thrilled because Mena is an extraordinarily talented and extraordinary disciplined actress," said the Oscar-winning writer, "and I just think she can do anything."
Suvari's film credits also include the first two "American Pie" movies and the cheerleader comedy "Bring It On."
