‘Smash’ Season 2 Starts A Fire Between Debra Messing and ‘Rescue Me’ Vet

Things might get pretty cold in New York City by the time 'Smash' season 2 raises its curtains, but things are only heating up for Debra Messing's Julia.  Earlier, we learned that actor Brian D'Arcy (ulia's husband Frank)  had officially departed the series, but now a former 'Rescue Me' star will start a fire in her heart.  How long will this one stick around, and will we hear him flex those pipes?

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that 'Smash' season 2 has picked up yet another guest star in advance of its mid-season debut.  Actor Daniel Sunjata ('Rescue Me,' 'The Dark Knight Rises') will be the next to romance Debra Messing's "Bombshell" co-writer Julia Houston, following her husband Frank's departure.  Fans of the series will remember that Julia had quite an active dance card in 'Smash's first season, falling back into an affair with actor Michael Swift (Will Chase) to her husband Frank's dismay.  Neither Chase nor D'Arcy will return for the second season.

Sunjata will take a recurring role, though no other details of his character were available.  Whether or not we'll hear the former 'Rescue Me' star sing remains to be seen, but Sunjata did pipe up a bit during the 'Grey's Anatomy' musical episode.  It was...singing.

Sunjata joins newly added series regulars Krysta Rodriguez as Karen's new roommate Ana,  Andy Mientus and  ‘Newsies’ star Jeremy Jordan, and Jennifer Hudson in replacing the departing cast of the first season, namely Raza Jaffrey (Dev), Jaime Cepero (Ellis), Brian D’Arcy James (Julia’s husband Frank) and Will Chase (Julia’s lover Michael). As previously reported, season 2 will also see the departure of show-runner and creator Theresa Rebeck, with former ‘Gossip Girl‘ EP Josh Safran stepping in.

What say you?  Do you think Daniel Sunjata has what it takes to make a ‘Smash’-ing season 2, or will Julia's love-life drag down the show once more?  Give us your thoughts on the series in the comments!