NEW YORK (AP) -- Angela Bassett will don the white coat for the final season of "ER."

NBC's medical drama announced that the 49-year-old actress, who won a Golden Globe for playing Tina Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do With It," is joining the "ER" cast.

She'll play an attending physician who is returning to Chicago after doing tsunami relief work in Indonesia.

Her character's toughness hides a troubled past that will unfold during the season, producers say.

"Angela is a wonderfully talented actress who I've long hoped to work with," said John Wells, executive producer of the series.

Well is hoping to lure many of the "ER" cast's alumni back for appearances for the show's 15th and final season.

(c) 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.