New ‘Office’ Casting: Meet Pam’s Mom!

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The Office,Jenna Fischer,John Krasinski,Amy Ryan,Casting Call,TV

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Actress Linda Purl attends the Douglas Blasdell Outreach Program Celebration at Bardot on March 11, 2009 in Los Angeles
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‘Office’ star Jenna Fischer arrives at a reception honoring Elizabeth Banks as Women In Film’s MaxMara ‘Face of the Future’ in West Hollywood
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John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ ‘Inside the Office’ panel discussion

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FIRST PUBLISHED: September 2, 2009 1:17 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: September 2, 2009 1:51 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Pam Beasley, meet your new mom.

As Jenna Fischer’s character on “The Office” gets ready to walk down the aisle with her Scranton love, Jim Halpert (played by John Krasinski), a new face is joining the cast as the mother of the bride.

Linda Purl has landed the role of Mrs. Beasley, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

The casting news was first reported by Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello.

Purl’s acting credits include the film “Mighty Joe Young,” as well as TV appearances on “Bones,” “Cold Case,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Touched By An Angel” and “Murder, She Wrote.”

She may be most recognized for her role as Charlene on the Andy Griffith series “Matlock.”

Despite a host of TV appearances on her resume, the 54-year-old Purl is a relative unknown – and that was just what “Office” producer/star B.J. Novak had in mind to play Pam’s mom.

“That’s the rule we have stuck to on our show — it is supposed to be real average Joes, and casting a famous actor takes away from that,” he told Ausiello. “We have only cast a famous actor when they can blend right in as was the case with Amy Ryan. Or if it makes sense for the role, like with Jack Black.”

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, love is most definitely in the air for the stars of “The Office” – in addition to their upcoming on-screen wedding, both Jenna and John have recently gotten engaged to their respective partners off-screen as well.

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