Homeland Guest Star List Offers Plot Clues For Season 3

With the approaching final season of Dexter and the series premiere of Ray Donovan, Showtime's been mainly focused on promoting both shows, these days. Homeland's return may be a bit further down the road, but it's not so far away that we aren't due for some updates on the series and the plans for the approaching third season. Today Showtime confirmed that Joanna Merlin, Nazanin Boniadi, Amy Morton, Gary Wilmes, Tracy Letts, Lawrence Clayton, Pedro Pascal and Sam Underwood are set to guest star on the series.

Season 3 will have Claire Danes' Carrie and Mandy Patinkin's Saul attempting to pick up the pieces of their shattered professional and persona lives. There's also the aftermath and media firestorm surrounding the terror attack, as well as the unknown whereabouts of Brody. Showtime says Joanna Merlin - who played Judge Lena Petrovsky in Law & Order: SVU - will play Grandma Lois, mother to Jessica Brody (Morena Baccarin). Nazanin Boniadi - who recurred as Nora on How I Met Your Mother - will play Fara, a capable analyst, despite her young appearance.

And it sounds like Carrie may be headed into court, as Amy Morton (Boss) will play Erin Kimball, her CIA appointed attorney. Meanwhile, Dana (Morgan Saylor) will be getting some counseling, as Gary Wilmes (Louie) has been cast to play Dr. Richardson, a psychiatrist who's trying to help her cope with everything that's been going on. Dana will also have a new friend in her life. Sam Underwood (The Last Keepers) will play Leo, a guy with a troubled past.

And then there are the people looking for answers, following the terror attack. Tracy Letts (Prison Break) will play Senator Andrew Lockhart, the powerful, authoritative and commanding Committee Chairman. Lawrence Clayton (The Big C) is on board to play Admiral Jim Pennington, the President's National Security Advisor. And Pedro Pascal (Graceland) will play Majority Counsel David Portillo, a member of the Senate Select Committee of Intelligence.

While these little tidbits probably only begin to scratch the surface of what Season 3 of the Showtime drama will have to offer, they do give us some clues, while we count down the months until Homeland returns Sunday, September 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.