In his first television role since the conclusion of Frasier in 2004, David Hyde Pierce - who played Niles Crane - has been cast in the sixth season of CBS drama 'The Good Wife'. Pierce will play a highly respected cable news legal commentator who is "disgusted by the corruption and murder rate in Chicago."

David Hyde PierceDavid Hyde Pierce has tasted success on the stage [Getty/Peter Kramer]

His character decides to do something about the crime-rate and runs for office in order to effect change, according to Variety. 

 "We couldn't be more thrilled and flattered that David's making 'The Good Wife' his first TV role since 'Frasier,'" said executive producers and showrunners Robert and Michelle King. "We're tremendous fans of his dramatic skills as well as his comedy."

More: check out our David Hyde Pierce pictures

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The Good Wife has long been considered a hub for pure acting talent, pulling in genuine talents in the discipline rather than glitzy TV names. Theatre great Alan Cumming has two Emmy Award nominations for his role as Eli Gold, while Christine Baranski as five for playing Diane Lockhart. The show's star, Julianna Marguiles, deservedly won the Emmy Award for lead actress in a drama series on Monday (August 25, 2014). 

Speaking backstage, Marguiles discussed season six, telling the Hollywood Reporter, "We've shot four episodes of season six, and so far, I'm letting go of the nerves.[The writers are] showing up and they're doing a great job."

Earlier this year, Robert King said season six will feature "more serialization" and will become "more complex in the storytelling."

"Bold moves are always what you want to do, but our show is not a hand grenade-a-minute going off. The bigger explosions have to happen on the personal level," he said.

The Good Wife returns to CBS on September 21 at 9.30pm. 

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