TV's Chuck raids major sci-fi film franchises

The final season of TV series Chuck is pulling out all the stops when it comes to upping its geek factor – casting not one but two stars from major film sci-fi franchises.

First to be announced was Star Wars lead Mark Hamill, who will guest star as a villain in an early episode of the fifth season.

Now The Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss has been added to the team, playing a larger role as former spy Gertrude Verbanski.

“She now runs Verbanski Corp, the chief rival of Chuck’s new spy company. She’s ruthless and deadly, yet she also has a weak spot for John Casey — her old rival,” another actor on the show told Entertainment Week .

Season 5 of Chuck debuts on US channel NBC on 21 October 2011.