"Dexter" actress Courtney Ford will join the cast of "The Vampire Diaries" during Season 2, according to EW.com.

Ford, who played Trinitys daughter on "Dexter," was cast as Vanessa, a Duke student who assists Elena (Nina Dobrev), Damon (Ian Somerhalder ) and Alaric (Matthew Davis) with research on the past of vampire vixen Isobel.

At Comic-Con International, executive producer Kevin Williamson (Scream, The Faculty) offered some additional hints on Vanessa's role in the series.

Shes not without her own intrigue, he said in an interview with EW.com. Itll be a nice little part for someone. And its a part that could evolve into this massive story line or we could gut her like a fish.

Based on the best-selling series of books by L. J. Smith, the series chronicles two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, and battling to control the fate of an entire town.

"The Vampire Diaries" is also executive produced by Julie Plec (Kyle XY, Wasteland), Leslie Morgenstein (Gossip Girl, Private) and Bob Levy (Gossip Girl, Privileged). It also stars Paul Wesley, Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Katerina Graham.

The series returns for its Season 2 premiere on The CW Sept. 9.