AceShowbiz -

Yvonne Strahovski is back on television with "The Astronaut Wives Club". The "Chuck" leading lady joins the upcoming drama series in a series regular role as Rene Carpenter, who is married to Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter.

A mother of four, she's strong and upfront and enjoys the limelight but is and ready to use it for personal gain. She enjoys being center of attention and is the only one of the wives singled out for her own magazine cover. According to the press note, "her modern attitudes are source of both conflict and courage for the other Astrowives. Over time, Rene finds her own voice and awakens to a higher calling in politics, civil rights and women's issues."

Based on Lily Koppel's book "The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story", the new ABC show was developed by Stephanie Savage who executive produces the series along with Josh Schwartz, Len Goldstein and Michael London. The show will reunite Schwartz, who created "Chuck", with Strahovski.

The drama is set in 1960s and tells the story of the women behind NASA's early astronauts, and how they deal with being catapulted into national celebrity overnight even as their husbands are preparing to be launched into orbit.

"Astronaut Wives Club" was picked up straight to series with a 10-episode commitment. It was originally planned to air in the summer, but was pushed back to midseason. Odette Annable (a.k.a. Odette Yustman), JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Dominique McElligott, Desmond Harrington and Bret Harrison are among the cast.

Strahovski recently guest starred on "Louie" and starred as Kate Morgan on FOX's limited series "24: Live Another Day". She also had a recurring role on "Dexter" as Hannah McKay, a serial killer and the title character's love interest.