Christine Lahti to Join HAWAII FIVE-O in Recurring Role

Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning actress Christine Lahti ("Chicago Hope") has been cast in a recurring role on HAWAII FIVE-0, which begins its third season this fall on the CBS Television Network. Lahti will portray Doris McGarrett, the thought-to-be-deceased mother of Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin).

"The mysterious character of Doris McGarrett is a pivotal one to the mythology of our show," said Executive Producer Peter Lenkov, "and we are thrilled to have a seasoned and beloved actress such as Christine to portray her. She's a wonderful addition to the H50 family and the fans will certainly enjoy what we have in store for her. Let's just say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Lahti earned her first Oscar nomination for "Swing Shift," then took the statue home 10 years later as a first-time director for her short film "Lieberman in Love." In 1998, Lahti won both the Emmy and her second Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Dr. Kathryn Austin on "Chicago Hope." Three years later, her feature film directorial debut, "My First Mister," opened the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Additional film credits include "Running on Empty," for which she received the 1998 LA Film Critics Award as well as a Golden Globe nomination, "Leaving Normal," "The Doctor," "Housekeeping," "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" and "...And Justice for All."

Her television credits include a starring role in "Jack & Bobby," for which she received both SAG and Golden Globe Award nominations, "Law & Order: SVU" and numerous television movies including "Amerika," for which she earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

A highly esteemed and award-winning stage actress, most recently Lahti starred on Broadway in "God of Carnage," and off-Broadway in "Body of Water" and "Dreams of Flying, Dreams of Falling."

HAWAII FIVE-0 is a contemporary take on the classic series about a new, elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands' sun-drenched beaches. The series stars Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Masi Oka and Michelle Borth. Peter Lenkov, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

Photo credit: Walter McBride