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"The 4400" on the USA Network is one of those shows that just keeps on moving, with the story hurling along at such a speed that the series has no chance of going stale. The success of the series lies heavily on the show's knack for telling very personal stories through science-fiction, and according to actor Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, fans will see more of that in the upcoming fourth season.

The actor who plays Richard Tyler on the series dropped a few hints on his return to the show and also what fans can expect this season, which started two weeks ago on the cable network.

“When I was approached about coming back, I didn't necessarily know what to expect as far as what my character was going to go through,” Ali told UGO. “I had a feeling that it was going to be something rich and it has been so far. It's kind of nice just popping in and contributing again.”

Ali, who has been a series regular for the first three seasons, will take some time out this year moving to a recurring status. But just because he’ll be putting in less time than usual doesn’t mean to say the audience should expect any less of him … especially when it comes to his daughter, Isabelle (Megalyn Echikunwoke).

“I'm in and out on this season, so I'm just popping in for a couple, but I think in the short time that the audience will get to see and experience them,” Ali said. “There is certainly a different relationship. There's probably more of a closeness there that wasn't sincerely there the year before, because of the fear of her power and capabilities. Now she's been humbled, so to speak, so she's looking for her way in life. Of course, her strongest connection is going to be to her father.”

The actor also was keen to discuss why the series has been a success, comparing the stories to the kind of family arcs that attract so many people to long-running daily serials.

“You have soap operas that have been running for 30 or 40 years, because there's a group of people that get hooked on the storyline of what's going on with this person's life,” Ali said. “Even if they don't like this person, they want to see that person get theirs. The show is rooted in the people not being born extraordinary, but instead a group of people who have been given extraordinary gifts, which is what attracts the audience. It's being able to buy into the possibility of it really happening, and I think that makes a lot of sense to people.”

“The 4400” airs Sundays on USA.