Debra Messing joins ABC's 'Dirty Dancing' remake

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Debra Messing has joined the cast of ABC's Dirty Dancing remake.

The 47-year-old actress confirmed her addition to the cast Thursday on Twitter after the news broke earlier in the day.

"Excited to share the news!! Can't wait to work with this INCREDIBLE team. @abc @lionsgatemovies," the star wrote.

Messing will play Marjorie Houseman, mom to Baby (Abigail Breslin), in the forthcoming TV movie. The character is described as a family-oriented, "meticulous 1960s housewife" who attempts to rekindle her romance with her husband, Dr. Jake Houseman.

Emily Bishop (Gilmore Girls) played Marjorie in the original 1987 romantic drama, while Baby and her love interest Johnny Castle were portrayed by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. Breslin was announced as Baby in December, but the remake has to cast its Johnny.

Dirty Dancing opened in August 1987 and earned $214 million at the box office. The film follows the romance between the sheltered Baby and working-class dance instructor Johnny, who meet at a resort in the Catskill Mountins of New York over the summer.

The L Word writer Jessica Sharzer will pen the script, with The Sapphires helmer Wayne Blair as director. Glee music producers Adam Anders and Peer Astrom will oversee the music, with Anders and Crazy Heart producer Jody Cairo as co-producers.

The Dirty Dancing remake is being envisioned as a three-hour, taped event. Messing is best known for playing Grace Adler on Will & Grace, and has since portrayed Julia Houston on Smash. She presently plays Det. Laura Diamond on The Mysteries of Laura.