Terrence Howard joins 'L&O: LA,' Rob Lowe stays on 'Parks and Rec'

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard is moving to the small screen, joining NBC's "Law & Order: Los Angeles." Rob Lowe, meanwhile, is sticking around on "Parks and Recreation."

Howard ("Hustle & Flow," "Iron Man") will play a prosecutor on "L&O: LA," executive producer Dick Wolf announced Friday (July 30) at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. He and Alfred Molina, who joined the cast last week, will rotate episodes in the courtroom, similar to the way "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" operated for several seasons with Vincent D'Onofrio and Chris Noth.

Molina and Howard join Skeet Ulrich ("Jericho") and Corey Stoll ("Salt"), who will pay two LAPD detectives.

On "Parks and Rec," meanwhile, Lowe will continue his role as upbeat -- or possibly manic -- state auditor Chris Traeger on the NBC comedy, which is scheduled for a midseason debut. (Adam Scott will also be a full-time member of the cast.) Lowe, who has an arc on "Californication" in the coming season, left ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" in May.

"I am beyond thrilled that Rob will be joining the cast for more episodes," "Parks and Rec" executive producer Mike Schur says. "I have truly come to value his fashion sense, grooming habits and workout tips. Also, he is hilarious and adds a wonderful dimension to the cast. But really, it's the workout tips."

Other casting news from NBC:

- "The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey and Rob Corddry ("Hot Tub Time Machine") will guest star in the third episode of "Community" as two of Jeff's (Joel McHale) ex-law firm colleagues. Corddry will play Jeff's former best friend at work, and Carey will play a "good-natured -- but much feared" figure at the firm.
- As executive producer Paul Lieberstein told Zap2it earlier this month, Kathy Bates will reprise her guest role on "The Office" next season. Bates also stars in NBC's midseason show "Harry's Law."

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Photo credits: Getty Images (Howard), NBC (Lowe)