NBC's new series "The Event" is adding some star power, booking Hal Holbrook in a recurring role of Dempsey.

Holbrook, a 11-time Emmy nominee (and five-time winner), is expected to make his first appearance on the show in October. Little is known about Dempsey, but he likely will be caught in a web of mystery that involves not just an MIT graduate investigating what happened to his wife, but all the way up to the President of the United States, played by Blair Underwood.

Holbrook turned 85 in February, but that hasn't slowed him down. He appeared in four episodes of the popular FX series "Sons of Anarchy" as Nate Madock this past year, and has made additional appearances in recent years on shows like NBC's "ER," CBS' "NCIS" and even HBO's "The Sopranos."

The celebrated actor has a very limited genre resume, however. He played Justice Oliver Harbison in the revamped "The Outer Limits" in 2000, an episode written by former rebooted "V" co-executive producer Sam Egan, and starring some other big names like Amanda Plummer and Charlton Heston.

Holbrook was married to former "Designing Women" star Dixie Carter for 26 years until she died last April. His Emmy wins were for "Portrait of America" in 1989, "Lincoln" in 1976, two awards for "Pueblo" in 1974, and "The Bold Ones: The Senator" in 1971.

"The Event" also stars Sarah Roemer, Laura Innes, Zeljko Ivanek, Ian Anthony Dale, Scott Patterson, Clifton Collins Jr., Bill Smitrovich, Lisa Vidal and Taylor Cole.

The series is set to premiere Sept. 20 on NBC.