Smallville has announced its most significant piece of final season casting news yet: Teri Hatcher has signed on to play Lois Lane's mother!

The Desperate Housewives star got her big break as the character of Lois on the 1990's ABC hit Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Look for her to appear on the eighth episode, titled "Abadoned."

Yes, we know, Smallville fans: Lois' mom, Ella is dead. But we can report that the episode will center around Lois discovering old videotapes of her mother and... well, from there, you'll need to tune in and find out what happens.

We absolutely can't wait!

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