Julianna Margulies heading to 'The Hot Zone'

(WENN) — Actress Julianna Margulies is revisiting her days as a TV medic to play a doctor in a new series exploring the first outbreak of the Ebola virus.

The former "The Good Wife" star, who got her big break on medical drama "ER," will portray U.S. Army scientist Dr. Nancy Jaax in "The Hot Zone," an upcoming scripted show for National Geographic.

The project, based on the 1994 non-fiction book of the same name by Richard Preston, focuses on the initial emergence of the virus in the central African rainforest, and its sudden appearance in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. in 1989.

"Julianna is dream casting for the role of Dr. Nancy Jaax," Carolyn Bernstein, National Geographic's executive vice president of global scripted development and production, shared in a statement.

"Her rare combination of warmth, strength, humor and intelligence are the perfect recipe to make this terrifying true story feel relatable, grounded and human. 'The Hot Zone' is the perfect example of National Geographic's commitment to premium, brand-relevant storytelling that is at once wildly entertaining and deepens people's understanding of the world."

The actress' casting was announced during the National Geographic panel at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Wednesday.

Production on the "dramatic, high-stakes scientific thriller" is due to begin in Toronto and South Africa this fall.