Idina Menzel returns to 'Glee' for season 3

July 17, 2011 - Broadway star Idina Menzel is returning to Glee for a large part of season 3.

According to a report by Deadline, Idina is in talks with Fox to return to Glee for a long story arc in season 3, which could last for about 10-12 episodes. Her cast addition is considered to be the only significant one for the new season of the popular musical sitcom.

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Menzel will be reprising her role as Shelby Corcoran, who was revealed to be Rachel Berry's (Lea Michelle) biological mother on Glee's first season.

Shelby was the New Directions' coach, who are the rivals of glee club Vocal Adrenaline, and began bonding with Rachel after she told her the news she was her real mother. But, Shelby left town right after she adopted Quinn and Puck's baby.

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In season 3, Shelby returns from New York to be a new teacher at McKinley High School and, of course, to further complicate things for Rachel again.

Glee co-creator, Ryan Murphy, had this to say about Menzel's return, “I’m really excited the that Idina is joining the family again. We missed her last year and we’re happy that she is coming back.”

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As has been recently reported, three main cast members, including Lea Michelle, will not be returning for season 4. Additionally, even more characters will leave the show by season 3's end, as many are graduating high school and Glee creators want to keep it realistic and not have people be in hight school for six years.