Ashlee Simpson Coming to Melrose Place?

The countdown to the inevitable Pete Wentz cameo has begun.

Several sources confirm that the horrific singer-songwriter-actress Ashlee Simpson has become the latest tenant of The CW's remake of Melrose Place.

The alleged celebrity will reportedly play small-town girl Violet, a character whose disarming naiveté masks the calculating, shrewd sex kitten within.

Ashlee Simpson joins a Melrose cast that so far includes Katie Cassidy (as ambitious publicist Ella) and Michael Rady (as aspiring filmmaker Jonah).

Ashlee Simpson and her husband on the road with his band recently.

Melrose 2.0 is considered a lock to land a spot on The CW's fall lineup (likely on Tuesdays after 90210), is being shepherded by Smallville's creators.

Rumor has it Simpson scored the part Mischa Barton had been circling, but other reports say the former OC star is still in talks to play straight-arrow medical student Lauren or revoltingly sweet schoolteacher Riley. No word if either is anorexic.

Good for Ashlee and sister Jessica Simpson for continuing to find work despite their utter uselessness. Click to enlarge more photos of Ash and fam ...

[Photo Credits: Splash News Online]