Michael Chiklis joins FX's American Horror Story

Emmy award winner Michael Chiklis will be joining the FX's American Horror Story's Freak Show.

The cast and creators of American Horror Story announced Friday at Paleyfest that Chiklis will be joining the show's fourth season.  Freak Show will be set in Jupiter, Fla in 1950.  Chiklis' character will be Evan Peter's father and the ex-husband of Kathy Bates on the show.

At the panel event, Chiklis said, "When Ryan (Series co-creator of the show) brought me in, and we met, he pitched the idea and we talked about what we are going to do,  I said to him. 'I'm terrified, and I'm going to do it.' So that's just a bit of a tease, because I would never divulge what he said ... but I can say that my heart is pounding like it is right now...  It is a freak show. But as actors that's what we love to do, we love to take risks and take chances and do things that are challenging, and I thought, 'Oh, my god, I'm gonna be up to my eyes in it." 

Chiklis also said, "I can't think of a better way than to come back to my home network than to join this magnificent cast ... it's the first time I've seen you all in one stretch, and it's insane how many incredible actors are in this cast."  

Chiklis previously starred in FX's The Shield and won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his performance in the show.

Show star Jessica Lange will be portraying a German-expatriate who will be running the freak show.  Other returning characters are Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, and Frances Conroy.