The latest to sign by the "X"? Former Princess Bride star Cary Elwes.
The thespian has swashbuckled his way aboard TV's popular sci-fi drama, signing on for the recurring role of FBI assistant director Brad Follmer, the ex-boyfriend of Annabeth Gish's special Agent Monica Reyes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The announcement comes weeks after former Xena star Lucy Lawless signed on for a guest stint. And it provides further proof that, with David Duchovny gone and Gillian Anderson debating her future, the aging series is hoping to mix things up with a larger ensemble.
While Elwes is probably best known for parts in such slapstick comedies as Robin Hood: Men In Tights and Hot Shots, the actor will get to show a more serious side in the paranormal drama, says X-Files creator and executive producer Chris Carter.
"It's not just adding a terrific actor, it's adding somebody of a certain stature to the show," Carter tells the Reporter. Elwes' character, he says, "is a guy who is a little more buttoned up, a little more polished; he represents a different kind of FBI."
Carter plans for Elwes' character to be the perfect foil for by-the-numbers G-Man John Doggett (Robert Patrick), and, of course, veteran Agent Dana Scully (Anderson).
The X-Files mastermind also notes that the chemistry between Elwes and Gish was exactly what he wished for when he had the 38-year-old actor read with her Wednesday night.
"All of us saw at the same time how he would be the best choice for the dynamic we were trying to create; we liked the energy between the two of them," Carter adds.
Fans can expect to see Elwes delving into conspiracies and little green men when The X-Files kicks off its ninth year November 4 on Fox, with an episode written by Carter and executive producer Frank Spotnitz.
Elwes' other film credits include Days of Thunder, Kiss the Girls, Cradle Will Rock, HBO's From the Earth to the Moon and last year's Shadow of the Vampire.