Linda Hamilton Joins “Chuck” Sept. 20

Linda Hamilton — best remembered for her role as Sarah Connor in the blockbuster Terminator films — has been cast in a recurring guest role on Season 4 of the NBC spy comedy Chuck.

Hamilton will join the cast as former CIA agent Mary Bartowski, the long-missing mother of Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), Chuck executive producer Josh Schwartz announced during the Comic-Con Festival in San Diego on Saturday. According to Schwartz, the casting selection was inspired by suggestions of devoted online fans, and the show promises that Hamilton’s role will be a “huge part” of the upcoming season.

“She’s been such an icon as an action-female badass mom. The fans put it out there, and she heard about it, and was like, ‘I heard I’m Chuck’s mom.’”

Linda makes her debut as Mary in the Sept. 20 Season 4 opener, which will also include a guest appearance by actress/men’s mag staple Olivia Munn.