House has hired a multiple-time Emmy Award winner and Oscar nominee to play a key role on season seven.

Candice Bergen, best known for her iconic title character on Murphy Brown for 10 years and later as a cast member on Boston Legal, will come aboard the Fox hit as Cuddy's mother.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Bergen will appear on multiple episodes.

House returns with a new season on Monday. We hear Hugh Laurie's love-filled doctor will be withholding a secret from his new girlfriend when season seven premieres. Wonder what it could be.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.