THE WB WELCOMES NEW AND RETURNING STARS TO THE FAMILY: SCOTT WOLF JOINS "EVERWOOD," NICK LACHEY JOINS "CHARMED," NEWCOMERS ERICA DURANCE AND JENSEN ACKLES JOIN THE CAST OF "SMALLVILLE," WHILE BARRY WATSON AND DAVID GALLAGHER RETURN TO "7TH HEAVEN"

Burbank, CA July 14, 2004

On The WB Network this fall, actor Scott Wolf opens a medical practice in EVERWOOD; pop star Nick Lachey finds love in CHARMED; the legend of Lois Lane lives on as newcomer Erica Durance joins the cast of SMALLVILLE, with Jensen Ackles joining as Lana Lang’s love interest; and the Camdens welcome home their two eldest sons with the return of Barry Watson and David Gallagher to 7TH HEAVEN.

Scott Wolf makes a welcome return to series television, joining the cast of the critically acclaimed drama EVERWOOD, playing a California doctor who moves to Everwood to set up shop in Dr. Abbott’s (Tom Amandes) old office. Best known for his role on the long-running television drama "Party of Five," Wolf most recently starred in the ABC Family television movie "Picking Up and Dropping Off." EVERWOOD enters its third season this fall, airing Mondays, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET.

Solo recording artist and star of MTV’s "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica," Nick Lachey joins the cast of CHARMED for a six-episode arc, playing the role of a columnist hired to take over Phoebe’s (Alyssa Milano) advice column while she is on leave. Known to millions as part of the multi-platinum band "98°," Lachey’s appearance on CHARMED will mark his first major acting role. Other notable guest-star appearances have been on "I’m with Her" and "American Dreams". CHARMED enters its seventh season this fall, airing Sundays, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.

Portraying the future notorious newspaper reporter as a college freshman, Erica Durance’s role as Lois Lane finds her arriving to Smallville to investigate the murder of her cousin, Chloe. While maintaining dual American/Canadian citizenship, Durance is no stranger to television, having appeared in "Stargate SG-1," "The Chris Isaak Show," "Andromeda" and "Tru Calling."

In addition to Durance, actor Jensen Ackles will be joining the SMALLVILLE cast as Lana Lang’s (Kristen Kreuk) new boyfriend. Ackles returns to The WB, having appeared on DAWSON’S CREEK for one season in 1998. SMALLVILLE enters its fourth season this fall, airing Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.

Part of The WB family for nearly a decade, actors Barry Watson and David Gallagher return to the award-winning 7TH HEAVEN, as Matt Camden and Simon Camden, respectively. Since leaving the series in 2002, Watson has guest starred in and written an episode of the long-running drama. Gallagher’s character left to attend college, but did appear in several episodes last season. 7TH HEAVEN enters its ninth season this fall, airing Mondays, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.