Last night saw the return of Glee to our screens and it couldn’t come soon enough for this Gleek!

The season 4 opener is called “The New Rachel” but as far as I am concerned McKinley High can keep the kids: Sue is the only thing keeping that school afloat.

One of this season’s main attractions has to be Cassandra July, aka Kate Hudson. Kate takes on the role as Rachel’s mentor at NYADA and is billed as believing in teaching through negativity which sounds wonderful. I can’t wait!

Born to famous parents, actors Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson in LA in 1979, Hudson was raised by her mother and Goldie’s long-term partner, Kurt Russell, whom Kate considers her father.

However even with all that pedigree Kate has well and truly forged her own career in the business. There is no question that the role that got her noticed was as Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 award winning Almost Famous. Kate was not only nominated for an Oscar for the role but won a Golden Globe.

Hudson has since become a well-known actor who draws audiences from all walks of life with her energetic and honest style. Off screen, she has an 8 year old son, Ryder Russell Robinson, from her first marriage to The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson and a one year old, Bingham Hawn Bellamy, with fiancé Matthew Bellamy, who is frontman with Muse.

Glee can certainly boast many top class cameo actors as well as some amazing recurring characters. The likes of Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow have all crossed paths with the members of the Glee club in one way or another. But seeing Kate Hudson put Rachel Barry in her place and dance like we have never seen her before, well that just about takes the cake for me.

Here’s a little taster:

Oh yes, I think I am going to enjoy season 4 alright!  So what do you think of Kate, Álainn or Appallin’?