Alan Alda is joining the cast of 'The West Wing' as a Republican Senator.
The Hollywood Reporter says that Alda's character, Arnold Vinick, has presidential aspirations.
'NYPD Blue' actor Jimmy Smits is still in talks to join the show.
Alda also plays the role of a senator in Martin Scorsese's new biopic of Howard Hughes 'The Aviator'.
His role on 'The West Wing' marks his first continuous role in a series since 'MASH'; he starred in a number of 'ER' episodes in 1999.
