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The following contains MODERATE SPOILERS for the eighth season of The CW's "Smallville."

Although he has appeared in guest starring roles in numerous television shows (including "Dexter," "Bones," "CSI," "Angel," and "Cold Case," Sam Witwer is likely best known to genre fans as Crashdown in the SciFi Channel series, "Battlestar Galactica."

The actor, always interested in taking a challenging role, has joined the cast of "Smallville" as Davis Bloome, an emergency medical technician who will be revealed as Doomsday, an enemy of Superman in the comics.

"Although the show's producers did audition other actors for the role, they were literally banging my door down to get me to play the role," Witwer told Airlock Alpha's Wayne Hall. "They were super-persistent. Besides, I feel I do better work when I am wanted, so this encouraged me."

Witwer had watched only occasional pieces of "Smallville" over its previous seasons, so he had no idea which role he was going to speak with the producers about. In order to prepare, he downloaded the animated "Superman/Doomsday" film by Bruce Timm at the last minute and watched it. That turned out to be a fortunate move because he had some idea who the character was during the interview.

"I'm not sure exactly what they saw in my work that made them so interested in me for the role, but I do know they had been searching for an actor who could be comfortable in both ends of the spectrum, someone who could be villainous but also vulnerable and sweet," he said. Witwer liked the idea of adding layers to the character, so he took the part.

For those unfamiliar with Doomsday in the comics, the character is one of the most popular new foes made for the Man of Steel in the last 25 years. He was created to shake up the Superman franchise by writer/artist Dan Jurgens, who introduced him in "Superman: The Man Of Steel" No. 17 in November 1992. The huge, unspeaking, grey-skinned behemoth had large spikes growing out of his various body parts, and came to Earth looking for things to destroy. In the middle of Metropolis, Superman ended up in a fistfight with Doomsday (named that by another comics character because the rampage he caused appeared to him like "the arrival of Doomsday").

Almost exhausted, Superman and Doomsday hit each other with one final, powerful blow, which ended up killing both of them.

Of course, Superman eventually returned to life, and Doomsday has plagued him several times since then, even gaining some intelligence. Eventually discovered to come from Krypton like Superman himself, Doomsday appeared in the "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" animated series.

Witwer liked the idea of fleshing out Doomsday into something more than just a force of nature. "The fans will see that he's someone who can be both terrifying yet also a sympathetic character," he said.

Witwer doesn't look at all like a grey behemoth with spikes growing out of his body, so will comics fans know Doomsday when he shows up? Although he doesn't want to give away any secrets, Witwer said that fans "will recognize the character" as the season progresses.

What is it like to move from one established cast to another? Witwer said "Smallville's" cast and crew are very professional and friendly.

"I get to work a lot with Allison Mack (Chloe), which I enjoy. Also, after a while, an actor learns how to go in fast, do your work, and make friends as quickly as possible," he said. "For actors who have been around a while, it isn't a big deal."

Witwer's contract with the show is "open ended," so fans can expect to see him on "Smallville" for some time to come. Bloome and Clark develop "an interesting relationship, not very much like the one Clark had with Lex," he said. Look for the evolution of Bloome into Doomsday to take some time, although eagle-eyed fans got a taste of what is to come in the last few minutes of "Plastique," when Bloome was seen apparently mutating in an alley in Metropolis.

Will Clark Kent survive his encounter with Doomsday on "Smallville," or will they fight to the death as they did in the comics? "Wait and see," the actor teases.

What's it like to now be a part of the Superman mythology? Witwer is excited about the opportunity.

"I've been a big Superman fan since I was very young," he said. "In fact, the only way my parents could get me to dress up in a suit was to let me put on a Superman T-shirt underneath it. I'd pretend I was Clark Kent. I'm so happy to finally be a part of the legend."

"Smallville" airs each Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

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