The fourth cycle of Ryan Murphy's 'American Horror Story' will take us to the 'Freak Show' with a cast of familiar faces, but at least one new big name has been added to the marquee. 'The Shield' and 'No Ordinary Family' star (ha, right?) Michael Chiklis has officially joined 'American Horror Story: Freak Show,' but as whom, you ask?

As revealed by creator Ryan Murphy during the PaleyFest panel, Chiklis will portray the ex-husband to returning star Kathy Bates' character and father to Evan Peters' role as well. Interestingly, Murphy had previously spoken about wanting Chiklis to join the series, along with Reese Witherspoon and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Set in Jupiter, Florida in the year 1950, the new ‘Freak Show’ season will see Jessica Lange as a German ex-patriot running one of the last American freak shows, a cast of rescued “unusuals” that includes ‘Coven‘ and franchise stars Bates, Peters, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett and Frances Conroy. Franchise staple Denis O’Hare is also in talks to return, along with ‘Coven’ newcomer (and Peters’ real-life girlfriend) Emma Roberts.

Previously, Murphy specified that series star Jessica Lange had begun work on her German accent, which falls in line with earlier words that “Jessica Lange has always wanted to play a Marlene Dietrich figure, and now she gets to.” Lange also claims the fourth season will be her last with the franchise.

We'll likely hear more from 'Freak Show' as the week wears on, but what say you? Does Michael Chiklis make for a promising addition to 'American Horror Story' season 4?

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