Exclusive: Ally McBeal Alum Peter MacNicol Joins Necessary Roughness

Two heads are always better than one!

Necessary Roughness has recruited Ally McBeal alum Peter MacNicol to play Dr. Dani's old mentor, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

MacNicol, 58, will appear in three episodes of the USA drama as her former psychology professor, Dr. Gunner. Dr. Gunner is described as a warm and generous intellectual in the casting call, and will first appear in the 12th episode of the season, slated to air later this year. Why or how her former teacher comes back into Dr. Dani's life remains a mystery, but considering the inner turmoil at the New York Hawks and the recent baby talk with boyfriend Matt (Marc Blucas), maybe Dr. Dani (Callie Thorne) will need some couch time of her own?

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MacNicol, who won an Emmy for his performance as John Cage on Ally McBeal, is also known for his stints on 24, Chicago Hope and NUMB3RS. More recently, he guest-starred as a judge on Fairly Legal and appeared in HBO's Sarah Palin-centered TV movie, Game Change.

Necessary Roughness airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on USA.

Are you excited to see MacNicol on Necessary Roughness? How do you think Dr. Dani's old mentor will come back into her life?