Brian Truitt

USA TODAY

Constantine found its big Papa.

Michael James Shaw has been cast in the recurring guest role of Papa Midnite, the voodoo king of New Orleans, in NBC's new horror-tinged fall series. Midnite is a formidable magical adversary for demon hunter John Constantine, played by series star Matt Ryan.

The show is based on the long-running Vertigo Comics series Hellblazer and DC Comics' current Constantine comic book, and Papa Midnite has long been a thorn in Constantine's side in the comics since his first appearance in Hellblazer No. 1 (1988). That relationship carries over into the TV series, though with evil forces rising on Earth, they might have to hug it out and become uneasy allies sooner than later.

Constantine premieres Oct. 24 (10 ET/PT) with a pilot directed by Neil Marshall. The cast also includes Harold Perrineau, Charles Halford and Angélica Celaya. Daniel Cerone, David S. Goyer and Mark Verheiden are the executive producers on the show.