Tricia Helfer joins 'Community,' plus 'Happy Endings' and 'Nashville' casting

"Community" fans who are apprehensive about the direction of Season 4 should take heart in the following news: Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica") will guest-star in an early episode.

That's a nice casting get, but it's who she's playing that should comfort Human Beings everywhere: According to TVLine, Helfer will play a rabid "Inspector Spacetime" fan whom Abed (Danny Pudi) meets at a convention for the fake show.

The episode will also feature Matt Lucas ("Bridesmaids," "Little Britain") as a fellow fan.

Other TV casting news:

- Penny (Casey Wilson) is getting a new guy on "Happy Endings." Nick Zano, late of "2 Broke Girls" and "90210," will appear in at least six episodes of the ABC comedy as a guy who helps Penny get over her feelings for Dave (Zachary Knighton). [Hollywood Reporter]

- Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("According to Jim") will recur on ABC's new drama "Nashville" as a former flame of Eric Close's character. It won't be a big commute for her: Williams-Paisley, who's married to country-music star Brad Paisley, lives in Music City. [Deadline]

- Another new ABC drama, "666 Park Avenue," has added Tessa Thompson ("Veronica Mars," "Copper") as a recurring guest star, per Deadline. She'll play a media consultant who catches Henry's (Dave Annable) eye and causes some friction in his relationship with his girlfriend, Jane (Rachael Taylor).

- Mose Schrute lives! For at least one more episode, anyway. "Parks and Recreation" co-creator Mike Schur says he'll reprise his occasional role as Dwight's (Rainn Wilson) cousin in an episode of "The Office" that will set up the Dwight-centered spinoff "The Farm" -- and jokes that he hopes it involves the Schrute family gathering for Mose's funeral. [TVLine]

- Former "Desperate Housewives" regular Steven Culp will return to ABC with a recurring part on "Grey's Anatomy." He'll play a surgeon, but little else is known about his role at the moment. [Deadline]