'O.C.' star joins USA's 'Covert Affairs'

Former O.C. star Peter Gallagher has joined the cast of USA Network's Covert Affairs, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The 54-year-old actor, who played Sandy Cohen throughout the CW drama's four-year run, will play CIA director Arthur Campbell in USA's upcoming spy thriller.

The project, which also stars House alum Anne Dudek and Ugly Betty's Christopher Gorham, centres on Piper Perabo's Annie Walker, a multilingual CIA trainee with a mysterious ex-boyfriend.

Gallagher's character is said to be "a regal man and former Naval officer who loves a good fight, great scotch and a filthy joke".