Jason Behr Is Heading Back to ‘Roswell’

You can’t keep Max Evans down for good, and in a surprising casting announcement, The CW’s rebooted Roswell, New Mexico is welcoming Jason Behr to the cast in a mysterious, recurring role. The news was just announced at the New York Comic Con panel for the show; and not only is Behr coming on board, the show is also adding Smash Williams himself, Gaius Charles.

Behr was one of the original stars of Roswell when it aired from 1999-2002. Since then he took on a number of other roles on several movies and TV shows; but perhaps the most surprising part of this announcement is that Behr hasn’t acted since 2012.

It also comes at exactly the right time for the series. Spoilers past this point, but Roswell, New Mexico‘s Max Evans (Nathan Dean) sacrificed his own life in the Season 1 finale to bring Rosa Ortecho (Amber Midthunder) back to life — the sister of Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason), the women he loved. It’s a bold, shocking move to leave the male lead dead; though, since the show is about aliens with superpowers, there are always ways around that.

Regardless, having the OG Max Evans on board in Season 2 will hopefully soften the blow for fans.

“We’re very excited that Jason will be joining us for a multi-episode arc. It’s only fitting that he’s playing a (currently top secret) character with deep ties to Roswell, New Mexico’s history,” said Executive producer Carina Adly MacKenzie via statement. “Working with him has already been such a special experience for all of us –– particularly when [Roswell co-star] Shiri Appleby was on set to direct him. I was such a huge fan of Roswell as a kid, so having their stamp of approval –– not to mention their expertise and advice –– has really meant the world to me, the cast and the crew.”

In a slightly less mysterious role, Charles — best known for his role as Smash on Friday Night Lights — will also recur as “Bronson, a local farmer with a strong moral compass that leads him to see the good in people –– and aliens –– in a time of great prejudice. Ultimately, his quest to protect those he loves pits him against forces far more powerful than he is,” according to a press release provided to Decider.

“When we were looking at a way to instantly have our audience be invested in a 1947 storyline, we couldn’t think of a better actor than Gaius Charles to create a character to hook into,” said executive producer Chris Hollier. “We feel so lucky that he agreed to come help us tell this lyrical story within a story.”

Clear eyes, alien hearts, can’t lose.

Roswell, New Mexico will return midseason to The CW.

Where to watch Roswell, New Mexico