Supergirl‘s upcoming fourth season will feature sci-fi legend Bret Spiner in a recurring political role.

Update (August 21): The role of Vice President Baker in Supergirl season 4 has been recast. Spiner had to depart the show to attend to a family issue that conflicted with the production dates.

The role will now be played by Bruce Boxleitner. Boxleitner has a long filmography, and his credits include TRON, TRON: Legacy, TRON: Uprising and Babylon 5.

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Original story (August 1): Spiner, who played the android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation, will play Vice President Baker in Supergirl season 4.

The character is described as being adept and politically minded. Vice President Baker makes for an unlikely leader, but steps up in a big way when his country needs him most.

We have previously seen Lynda Carter as President Olivia Marsdin. During the Daxamite invasion, President Marsdin was revealed to be an alien. Cat Grant is working as her press secretary.

We know that Supergirl‘s fourth season will feature an anti-alien, human-first movement led by Agent Liberty, played by Sam Witwer. Could President Marsdin, as a result of this anti-alien movement, be forced to step aside, causing Vice President Baker to step forward?

In addition to Star Trek: The Next Generation, Spiner’s numerous credits include four Star Trek films: Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, Nemesis; Independence Day; The Aviator and Phenomenon. He has also appeared on numerous television shows and on Broadway.

Supergirl season 4 premieres on Sunday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET on The CW.