Paulson's character, Lydia, will return for one episode on the upcoming season as the loser sister of Lynette, played by Felicity Huffman. Lydia, however, has turned her life around and returns to Wisteria Lane engaged and with her new fiancé.
Also returning to "Desperate Housewives" will be Susan's (Teri Hatcher) daughter, Julie, played by Andrea Bowen (Jane Eyre, The Sound of Music); Bree's (Marcia Cross) daughter, Danielle, played by Joy Lauren; and an older Kayla, Tom's (Doug Savant) illegitimate daughter, previously played by Rachel Fox.
Paulson first appeared on the series' fourth season in 2007. She has been seen on Broadway in The Glass Menagerie and Collected Stories.
"Desperate Housewives" returns to ABC Sept. 25 and airs Sunday nights at 9 PM ET.