Jurassic Park star Laura Dern is joining Desperate Housewives.

The actress plays an ex-chorus girl in two episodes towards the end of the current series, but will be signed up as a regular cast member for Season 3.

"Laura’s character will be a struggling single mum from Atlantic City, New Jersey - best known for its cheesy hotels and casinos," a show source told The Sun.

"Even though she ends up in California on Wisteria Lane, she still dreams of being a blackjack dealer. Laura’s more than a match for housewives Susan, Bree, Gaby, Lynette and Edie."