Emily Deschanel Is Playing Against Type in Her First Major Role Since Bones

Emily Deschanel is returning to TV screens for the first time since Bones ended -- in a role that couldn't be less like the one she's best known for.

Deschanel has joined Season 4 of TNT's Animal Kingdom, Deadline reports. The actress will recur as Angela, the former best friend of Pope's (Shawn Hatosy) deceased twin sister, Julia. From what we know about her character, it sounds like the role will give Deschanel a chance to flex a different set of acting muscles: Angela is a recovering addict, newly released from prison, who's out to insinuate herself into the Cody family's good graces -- not that Smurf (Ellen Barkin) trusts her. Described as "scrappy" and "manipulative," Angela makes use of her history with Julia as she tries to seduce Pope.

The Bones cast shares their fondest memories from set

Deschanel has been laying low since Bones wrapped up in 2017; her only role has been a voice cameo as herself in one 2018 episode of The Simpsons. The actress starred on the Fox procedural for 12 seasons as Temperance Brennan, a brilliant forensic anthropologist (whose best friend happened to be named Angela) who teamed up with an FBI agent (David Boreanaz) to solve grisly murders.

Animal Kingdom returns to TNT in 2019.