As we previously reported, the amazing Marlee Matlin is joining the Switched at Birth cast! You can first see her in the episode that airs June 20 at 9/8c, but for now check out this interview to learn a little more about her character and her experience on the show.

“My character is Melody,” explained Marlee in an interview with DaemonsTV.com. “She’s the guidance counselor at the high school where the kids go. She’s also a substitute basketball coach – and that makes my son very happy. He’s a sports fan. When I said that I was playing a basketball coach he said, ‘What’s the name of your team? What are your stats?’ I said, ‘No, no. Honey, it’s a television show!’ But I’m happy that he’s excited about something that I’m doing. I also happen to be Regina’s, Constance’s [Marie] character, best friend on the show. I’m there for her, to give her support with all the changes that are happening in her life as a result of the switched at birth news. I’m Emmett’s, Daphne’s best friend, mother.”

Since Emmett is Melody’s son, Marlee gets to work a lot with his portrayer, Sean Berdy. “[He] is profoundly deaf and ASL (American Sign Language) is his first language,” she shared. “In terms of the character, we have that in common. On the other hand, Katie [Leclerc, who plays Daphne] grew up in the hearing world and was not profoundly deaf like Sean or I were. But she signs well and she comes to deafness from a different perspective. I know that sign language is not her first language, but she’s been nothing but great. As we said, there are different types of deaf people and I just think that she’s a sweetheart and she’s a great actress.”

To read more of the interview with Marlee Matlin, click here!

Watch an ALL NEW episode of Switched at Birth on Monday at 9/8c.