New 'Housewife' joins regular cast

Warning: This article contains spoilers about upcoming episodes of Desperate Housewives which some viewers may wish to avoid.

The Desperate Housewives will soon be gaining a new addition to their social circle, it has been confirmed.

Alfre Woodard, star of The Practice, will play a protective mother who moves to Wisteria Lane in the final episode of this season.

According to sources, her character is the head of a "deeply religious family" who have moved because their teenage son has made "a horrible mistake."

Woodard will become a series regular in the second season.