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     *Angela Bassett will become a regular cast member on NBC's "ER" next year during its 15th and final season. The role will be her first full-time gig on a television series.

       According to the Hollywood Reporter, the actress will play a tough attending physician with a troubled past who returns to Chicago from Indonesia, where she was involved in tsunami relief. Her arrival in the second episode next season promises to shake up the staff at County General.       

       "Angela is a wonderfully talented actress whom I've long hoped to work with," said "ER" exec producer John Wells.       

       In addition to Bassett, original cast member Noah Wyle will join "ER" next season in at least four of the show's planned 19 episodes.      

       Bassett, whose husband is actor Courtney B. Vance welcomed twins in January 2006 via a surrogate mother. She recently wrapped the B.I.G. biopic "Notorious."