Five new cast members – newcomers Laura Dreyfuss, Noah Guthrie, Billy Lewis, Jr., Samantha Ware and Marshall Williams – join GLEE for the final season of the groundbreaking musical comedy, which kicks off with a special two-hour premiere tonight (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Laura Dreyfuss and Billy Lewis, Jr. portray MADISON and MASON McCARTHY, two of Sue Sylvester’s (Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch) cheerios who try out for the glee club as a duo and prove that they have both singing and dancing chops. Prior to being cast on GLEE, Dreyfuss appeared on Broadway in “Once” and “Hair,” while Lewis makes his professional acting debut on the show.

Acting newcomer Noah Guthrie has been cast as RODERICK, a new kid at McKinley whose incredible passion for music is misunderstood by his peers until his untapped singing talent is discovered by former glee club members, who are blown away by his performance of Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally.”

Samantha Ware plays smart and sassy JANE, Dalton Academy’s first-ever female student. With a family legacy of Dalton Warblers, Jane is determined to break barriers at Dalton and become a member of the school’s most prestigious club. In the Season Premiere, Ware covers Janelle Monae’s “Tightrope.” Before GLEE, Ware appeared in “The Book of Mormon” and other stage productions.

Canadian actor, musician and model Marshall Williams takes on the role of SPENCER, McKinley’s openly gay star quarterback who appears to have it out for the glee club right from the beginning. Williams was a finalist on “Canadian Idol” and has appeared on episodes of “Saving Hope” and “Alphas.”

In tonight’s special two-hour season premiere of GLEE, after Rachel’s (Lea Michele) humiliating failure as TV actress, she comes home to Lima to figure out what she wants to do next. Upon discovering that Sue (Jane Lynch) has banished the arts at McKinley, Rachel takes it upon herself to reinstate and lead the glee club. Meanwhile, Blaine (Darren Criss), no longer in a relationship with Kurt (Chris Colfer), has moved home to coach the Warblers while Will (Matthew Morrison) is coaching rival Vocal Adrenaline, and Sam (Chord Overstreet) is the assistant coach for the McKinley football team. Then Puck (Mark Salling), Quinn (Dianna Agron), Santana (Naya Rivera), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Brittany (Heather Morris), Artie (Kevin McHale) and Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) all return to McKinley for Homecoming and help Rachel and Kurt recruit for the new glee club. Catch “Loser Like Me” and “Homecoming,” Friday, Jan. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

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GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20^th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk, Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers. “Like” GLEE on Facebook and download the Facebook Fan Page app at facebook.com/Glee. Follow the series on Twitter @GLEEonFOX and join the discussion using #glee.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: For photos and more information on GLEE, please visit www.foxflash.com.]

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