Felicity Huffman joins 'American Crime'

'Desperate Housewives' star Felicity Huffman has signed on to a lead role in 'American Crime'

In the show the 51-year-old actress, will play Barb Skokie, the mother of a murdered vet, who's determined to seek justice for her slain son, reported New York Post.

'American Crime' is written and executive-produced by John Ridley, who scored an Oscar for '12 Years A Slave'.

The drama will center around the racially motivated murder of a war vet and the proceeding trial. Timothy Hutton will play the actress' errant ex-husband.

Huffman played Lynette Scavo on 'Desperate Housewives' for the show's entire eight-season run.