Carla Gugino has joined the Season 3 cast of Justified in a recurring role.

The Sucker Punch actress, who appeared with Justified star Timothy Olyphant in this year's comedy Elektra Luxx, will star as a love interest from Raylan Givens' past. The character is a Washington, D.C.-based assistant director of the U.S. Marshals service who, at one time, worked alongside Raylan before he was assigned out of Miami and brought to Harlan County.

Carla Gugino herself has described this unnamed character as "tough, smart, and funny." She ends up in Kentucky to help protect a group of witnesses that've become vulnerable after the murder of a U.S. Marshal.

It isn't known how long Carla Gugino's stint in Harlan County will last. Other recent Season 3 cast additions include Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First Avenger) and Mykelti Williamson, who have both signed on as foes for Raylan Givens.

The series is expected to return in either February or March of 2012.