Science fiction icon Leonard Nimoy will be joining the cast of Fox's hit sci-fi drama Fringe, reports Entertainment Weekly (EW.com). The Star Trek star has been tapped by J.J. Abrams to play former lab partner of Walter Bishop (John Noble), William Bell, as in the William Bell who created the show's mysterious corporation Massive Dynamic.

Abrams told EW reporter Michael Ausiello that having Nimoy join Fringe is a "mind-blowing honor".

Nimoy is set to reprise his role as Spock in Abrams' upcoming Star Trek series "reboot", in theaters May 8th; and he'll make his first appearance on Fringe in this season's finale episode in May.