Buckley, who is currently in rehearsals for the upcoming Williamstown Theatre Company's production of The Threepenny Opera, will play Sharona's (Bitty Schram) meddling mom in an episode airing Aug. 1. According to the June 21 TV Guide, Buckley's character "brings out some of her daughter's own neuroses — which will draw Monk [Tony Shalhoub] and Sharona closer." There is a chance that Buckley's character may become a recurring one, although that decision has yet to be made. The hour-long drama about an obsessive-compulsive sleuth (Shalhoub) airs Fridays at 10 PM on the USA Network. The second season will offer 16 new episodes; nine will air during the summer and the remaining seven this winter. The cast also includes Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford.

The season premiere episode — titled "Mr. Monk Goes Back to School" —  concerns a suspicious death at the alma mater of Monk's late wife. Andrew McCarthy and David Rasche guest as, respectively, a science instructor and a gym coach.

Betty Buckley offered performances in Sunset Boulevard, Carrie, Song & Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 1776 and Promises, Promises. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella in the Broadway production of Cats, and she starred on the London stage in Promises, Promises and Sunset Boulevard, earning an Olivier Award nomination for her work in the latter. Also a TV ("Eight Is Enough") and film (Tender Mercies) star, the actress-singer devotes much of her time to concert appearances around the world. Her solo CD, "Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar Warehouse," was nominated for a Grammy Award, and her newest recording, "The Doorway," is her first for the Fynsworth Alley label. The actress was also recently seen on the final season of the acclaimed HBO series "Oz."