The cast of American Horror Story's fourth season is gradually shaping up, with an Emmy-winning actor set to join the Freak Show this fall.

Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson IN; Lily Rabe, Taissa Farmiga OUT?

Michael Chiklis, who won an Emmy for his starring role in The Shield, is returning to FX in the fall for American Horror Story season 4. The cast of American Horror Story: Coven gathered at PaleyFest Friday night in Los Angeles where the news was revealed.

American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy announced to fans and critics that he had been wanting Chiklis to be on the show for years. The actor was a surprise guest at the event, walking in and sitting among with his new cast on stage.

American Horror Story Season 4: Back To New Orleans?

Chiklis is set to play the father of Evan Peters' new character as well as the ex-husband of Kathy Bates' new character, according to Murphy.

Murphy also revealed that everyone who had gathered together for the PaleyFest event would have a part of American Horror Story: Freak Show in the fall. This was news to fans of Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Jamie Brewer and Denis O'Hare, none of which had been officially announced as returning.

It had previously been announced that Bates, Peters, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy, Angela Bassett in addition to star Jessica Lange would be returning for season 4's Freak Show.

During the event, Murphy made the distinction that the new season would not be set at a circus or a carnival, both popular concepts on the Internet. Instead, the season would focus on a troupe of freaks, led by Lange's character.

"The thing we're working on now is the opposite of what we did last year," he continued. "It's so incredibly refreshing to reboot it every year."

American Horror Story: Freak Show premieres in fall 2014 on FX, though the network has not yet announced a set air date.

Tags: American Horror Story television fx