The 38-year-old star actor, who recently starred in the film Full Frontal, will make his first appearance during this summer's season of 12 episodes.

Producers will not reveal which of the female characters he will romance.

Kyle MacLachlan, John Corbett and Chris Noth are among the other actors who have appeared as boyfriends in the hit US series.

Mexican writer signs fresh deal

Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes, who wrote novels such as Terra Nostra and The Old Gringo, has signed up with publishers Random House.

The novelist dropped US publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, after a business relationship spanning more than 30 years.

Fuentes' agent, Carl Brandt, said: "I suspect he (Fuentes) felt a new team would bring new vigour to the situation."

The financial terms of the deal are not known but Brandt said "the money was good".

Music mogul Mottola returns

US music giant Tommy Mottola, who quit as head of the Sony Music Group six months ago, has returned to the industry with a new record label.

He will head up Casablanca Records, which is being revived by Universal Music Group.

"He is already in negotiations with several artists and we are going to see some exciting things happen a short way down the line," Peter LoFrumento of Universal Music told the AFP news agency.

Casablanca had artists such as Donna Summer, the Village People and Kiss on its books in the 1970s but was wound up in the early 80s when its founder, Neil Bogart, died.

Ryder set for Embers role

Actress Winona Ryder is set to star opposite Sean Connery in a film by Milos Forman called Embers.

Ryder, who was convicted of shoplifting last year, is also being tipped to take the leading role in Robert Altman's new picture The Widow Claire.

The 31-year-old was told by a California judge she could return to her career after completing 480 hours community service earlier this year.

Depp keen to revive Quixote movie

Actor Johnny Depp has revealed that he is keen to get an ill-fated film version of Don Quixote back on track.

He was due to star in Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, which was abandoned during production in 2000 after being hit by logistical problems.

The film's history was chronicled in the documentary Lost In La Mancha.

"We've talked about it every time I speak to Terry," said Depp. "If he wants to do that and if he's able to do that, I'd be there in a second because it was really going to be a great movie."