'Terra Nova's' Stephen Lang Books Arc on 'In Plain Sight'

Brook Rushton/FOX

Stephen Lang in "Terra Nova"

While Fox has yet to make a decision on the future of its pricey dinosaur drama Terra Nova, star Stephen Lang has booked a multiepisode arc on USA Network's In Plain Sight.

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As first reported by TV Guide, Lang has booked a three-episode arc on the drama, playing the troubled father of Mary McCormack's Mary Shannon, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The role marks Lang's second guest stint on a USA series, having previously guest starred on its Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

The fate of Fox's expensive time-travel series, which stars the actor as the commander of a new colony 85 million years in the past, has yet to be determined, though Lang remains under contract through June 30 with the network's sibling studio, 20th Television.

The studio extended Lang and co-star Jason O'Mara's options late last year as it moved to secure the actors going into pilot casting season, where both were expected to be courted.

While it's not uncommon for an actor under contract to book gigs with projects outside of the studio, Lang did have to get the network's blessing to join the Universal Cable Productions' drama.

Fox Entertainment topper Kevin Reilly told reporters in January at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour that the network faces a "high-class problem" with regard to the fate of the series. The drama averaged 7.8 million total viewers and 2.6 million in the coveted 18-49 demographic over the course of its 13-episode run.

After concluding its run in December, the series was considered likely to earn a second season before the network bowed J.J. Abrams drama Alcatraz and previewed its Tim Kring-Kiefer Suthlerland series Touch in the Monday night slot to strong returns.

While Terra Nova executive producers have noted the series' extensive production demands and a need to get under way as soon as possible to allow time for CGI, it's unclear whether Lang's three-episdoe arc would impact that should the series earn a renewal at this point.

In Plain Sight's fifth and final season will premiere March 16 on USA.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit