Appearance in ABC promos had some originally speculating he was returning to 'Lost'

ABC told fans lined up to see a preview of its new series "Flash Forward" at San Diego Comic-Con that there would be a special surprise waiting for them, and they weren't kidding.

Although it wasn't really all that much of a surprise.

Dominic Monaghan, who played Charlie in another ABC series "Lost," has officially been cast in the network's new fall genre series "Flash Forward," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Monaghan has been talked about being part of the show since he first showed up in a promo for ABC that initially started rumors he might somehow be returning to "Lost." Instead, he will take on a role in the new series from "The Dark Knight" scribe David S. Goyer and former Star Trek executive producer Brannon Braga.

ABC is convinced that "Flash Forward" will be its next hit, and was actually promoting the show with a cryptic teaser campaign during new "Lost" episodes last spring. The series is based on the novel by Robert J. Sawyer where the world black out for just over two minutes, and during that time, many have visions of the future.

It also stars Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Jack Davenport and Courtney B. Vance.

It premieres Sept. 24 on ABC.