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Jurnee Smollett-Bell to join cast of NBC drama 'Parenthood'

Jurnee Smollett-Bell will appear as a campaign manager on the NBC drama, according to TVLine. Jurnee Smollett-Bell has recently been seen on the HBO show 'True Blood.'

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John P. Johnson/HBO
Jurnee Smollett-Bell (l., with Nelsan Ellis) currently stars on the HBO drama 'True Blood.'
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell will be joining the cast of the NBC drama “Parenthood” for the show’s fifth season, according to TVLine.

Smollett-Bell will be playing a character named Heather Hall who becomes Kristina (Monica Potter)’s campaign manager. On the show, Kristina running for political office will reportedly be a large part of the fifth season.

TVLine described the part as a “major recurring role.”

Smollett-Bell is currently appearing on “True Blood” as Nicole Wright, a member of a group that wants to protect vampires and other supernatural beings like shapeshifters and werewolves from those who believe them dangerous. Nicole has also become a love interest for bartender Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell).

The actress guest-starred on the recent TV series “The Mob Doctor” and starred on the NBC drama “Friday Night Lights” near the end of the show’s run. She has also guest-starred on shows such as “The Defenders,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “House.”

“Parenthood,” which is based on the 1989 film starring Steve Martin, has aired on NBC since 2010 and revolves around an extended family, the Bravermans. It stars “Coach” actor Craig T. Nelson, “Six Feet Under” actor Peter Krause, “Hit and Run” star Dax Shepard, and “Gilmore Girls” star Lauren Graham.

The show has been well-received by critics and was nominated once for an Emmy award, for actor Jason Ritter’s guest turn on the show. It has often placed on reviewers’ list of the best shows of the year since it began airing.

As noted by TVLine, many other former “Friday Night Lights” actors have guest-starred on “Parenthood,” including Minka Kelly, Derek Phillips, and Michael B. Jordan. “Friday Night Lights” head writer and executive producer Jason Katims is the head writer for and developed “Parenthood.”

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