Charlotte Ross' departure from "NYPD Blue" has opened the door for former "Boston Public" star Jessalyn Gilsig to join the cast.

Ross, who gave birth to a son last month, is leaving the show after three-plus seasons. Her pregnancy was written into the ABC series' story this season -- her character, Connie McDowell, is married to Dennis Franz's Andy Sipowicz -- but "Blue's" writers haven't yet determined how they'll write her out.

Meanwhile, Gilsig is set to join the cast for the final five episodes of the season, according to news reports. She'll play a detective who teams up with McDowell's former partner, Rita Ortiz (Jacqueline Obradors). Gilsig most recently had a recurring role on FX's "Nip/Tuck."

In addition to raising Maxwell, her son with husband Michael Goldman, Ross says she's ready for work that's a little less heavy.

"After four years of playing Connie and the intense story lines the show has given me, I am eager to sink my teeth into some lighter, more comedic fare," she tells New York's Daily News. "I've always enjoyed going back and forth between comedy and drama."