American Idol fifth season, runner-up, Katharine McPhee has been cast to play a struggling actress wanting to snag a Marilyn Monroe role in a TV musical created by America’s National Broadcasting Company (NBC).

McPhee, who had wowed America with her sophistication, glamour and singing talent in America’s number one-reality TV show has signed up to co-star in Steven Spielberg’s TV musical drama called “Smash”.

Deadline.com said the pilot episode for the musical focuses on the ‘cross-section of characters’ who have collaborated to create and develop a Marilyn-Monroe-inspired Broadway musical. AI’s fifth season runner-up had snatched the role to play an actress with her eyes set on getting the Monroe role in the said musical.

The musical is a production of renowned director and producer, Steven Spielberg. Mcphee will be joining Debra Messing who has been cast as the musical’s lyricist and Jack Davenport, who will play the musical’s choreographer. The show’s pilot episode will be directed by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening).

This is not McPhee’s acting stints as she had appeared in the film, The House Bunny and appeared as guest star in one of the episodes of Community and CSI: New York.