Exclusive: Shelley Long Returning to Modern Family

As if Jay Pritchett weren't dealing with enough on the upcoming season of Modern Family, now his ex-wife is coming back to town!

Shelley Long will reprise her role as Dede Pritchett, the mother of Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

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Details on Long's return are being kept under wraps, but since Gloria (Sofia Vergara) is pregnant with Jay's (Ed O'Neill) baby, Dede should be in great spirits when she reenters the picture. As we all know, Dede is not the biggest fan of Gloria and even caused a drunken scene at the latter's wedding to Jay.

"We have a very funny story for her," executive producer Steve Levitan tells us. And for those hoping to see tension between Jay and his ex-wife now that he's an expecting father again, he promises, "You will not be disappointed."

What do you want to see for Long's return? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Modern Family returns Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9/8c on ABC.