Heigl in new rom-com 'The Ugly Truth'

Actress Katherine Heigl has signed up to star in new romantic comedy film The Ugly Truth, following the success of her summer movie Knocked Up.

The star, who won an Emmy for her role in US medical series Grey's Anatomy, will play a lonely TV producer who is faced with a challenge from a colleague.

Filming is due to start on April 15 next year - which is the last date that production can begin on a movie before the impending actors' strike starts next summer from June 30, when the actors' and directors' contracts will expire.

The Ugly Truth comes from the team behind Reese Witherspoon's hit movie Legally Blonde, reuniting the screenwriters and director Robert Luketic.