Michael Chiklis is joining the Freak Show.

The actor, who famously played Vic Mackey for seven seasons on The Shield, is headed back to FX as part of American Horror Story Season 4.

He shocked the crowd by joining other cast members on stage at PaleyFest tonight and will come on board the miniseries as the ex-husband of Kathy Bates' character and the father of a boy played by Evan Peters.

Ryan Murphy announced last week that the new season will be set in 1950s Florida and center on Jessica Lange as the head of a traveling circus.

Aside from Lange, other American Horror Story players confirmed for Freak Show include Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy and Sarah Paulson, with Denis O’Hare and Emma Roberts in negotiation to return.

Over the past few years, Chiklis has failed to find success with the dramas No Ordinary Family and Vegas.

But we cannot wait to see him in this role.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.