Messing to guest star on 'SVU'

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Debra Messing is to guest star on the U.S. drama series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC announced.

Messing is a five-time Emmy nominee and a six-time Golden Globe nominee for her role as Grace Adler on the network's hit series "Will and Grace," for which she won the Emmy in 2003. She also gained Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG nominations for her role in the USA Network miniseries "The Starter Wife."

She will guest star as a television journalist working to expose pedophiles on an episode of "SVU" to air next month.

"Behind every great comic actor is dramatic talent, and Debra Messing is no exception," Executive Producer Neal Baer said in a statement Wednesday. "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."