Carla Gugino will be a co-starring this summer on USA Network's new original series Political Animals, the network said.

USA said yesterday that Gugino will play Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper reporter Susan Berg who is "bent on destroying" the career of Elaine Barrish, the Secretary of State and former first lady played by Sigourney Weaver, whose role was announced earlier this week.

USA says the 6-hour series' "fictional look at a former first family exposes a dynasty weakened by political ambition, lust and greed."

Among Gugino's recent higher profile credits are "Watchmen," "American Gangster," and "Entourage."

Behind the scenes, executive producers are Greg Berlanti and Laurence Mark.

The series is from Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television.