Sally Field has joined the cast of new US drama series Brothers and Sisters.

The actress – a two-time Academy Award winner – will play the part of the family matriarch, Nora Holden.

The series follows a close-knit Californian family who are socially and financially intertwined by love, business and secrets. In the US it will air on ABC in a prime slot following Desperate Housewives, while Channel 4 will broadcast the show in the UK. Also appearing are Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig and Balthazar Getty.