CASTLE Preview: January 3 on ABC

"Nikki Heat" - Castle's novel "Heat Wave" is being turned into a movie, and the Hollywood hottie cast as the movie's lead shows up at Beckett's invitation to better understand the character she's going to play. Laura Prepon ("October Road," "That '70s Show") guest stars as actress Natalie Rhodes. As our threesome investigates the murder of a high-class matchmaker, Natalie goes to extremes in the name of "character research," transforming herself into the spitting image of Beckett -- much to Castle's delight and Beckett's dismay. Also in the episode, Melody Thomas Scott ("Young & the Restless") and Thomas Calabro ("Melrose Place") guest star, on "Castle," MONDAY, JANUARY 3 (10:01-11:00 p.m. ET).

Clips from this episode will be posted at www.abcmedianet.com.

"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Guest Cast: Laura Prepon as Natalie Rhodes, Thomas Calabro as Scott Donner, Stephen Macht as Bill Wellington, Melody Thomas Scott as Tonya Wellington, Randall Batinkoff as Brad Williams.

"Nikki Heat" was written by David Grae and directed by Jeff Bleckner.

"Castle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L,V parental guideline.

For more information on "Castle," visit ABC.com. Viewers can also follow the show via http://facebook.com/Castle and Twitter: Castle_ABC