We still do not know when 30 Rock will return to NBC.

But we do now know that James Marsden will be featured prominently on the sitcom when it does finally premiere its new season in early 2012.

The actor - seen above during his stint on season two of Modern Family - will appear on six episodes of the series, likely as a love interest for Tina Fey's Liz Lemon.

Entertainment Weekly, which first reported this scoop, quotes a casting description for Marsden's character as: “California-bred with liberal values and a youthful innocence. Easy-going but confident with a strong sense of self.”

Assuming Marsden does romance Liz Lemon, he'll have some difficult, hilarious shoes to fill. Previous suitors include Matt Damon and Jason Sudeikis.