An odd TV collaboration is coming up, as Paul Giamatti has been announced to make a guest appearance on the Masterpiece period drama, Downton Abbey. Giamatti is yet another American to join the cast (at least temporarily) as Shirley McLaine is set to return to the series just on time for dinner (and the season finale.)

Giamatti, of course, has considerable experience as a TV presence having won an Emmy for his portrayal of John Adams in the eponymous HBO miniseries. However, his most significant appearance in the coming years will probably be in The Amazing Spiderman 2, the release date for which has been announced as May 2, 2014. There, Giamatti will done the costume (and attitude) of the brutish comic book villain Rhino.

Check out some pictures from the Amazing Spiderman 2 filmset.

His turn as Rhino will no doubt be a far cry from his current appearance on Downton – after all, the most disrespectful thing one could do on that show is possibly wearing the wrong cut of dinner jacket. Giamatti will join the period drama as as Harold Levinson, the maverick, playboy brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and uncle to Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith (Laura Carmichael), TVLine reports. His role sounds suspiciously like another token American curiosity for the series, but nevertheless, it will be interesting to see Giamatti interact with the rest of the cast. Giamatti will only appear in the finale however, and even the season premiere remains unannounced as of now.

Paul Giamatti, Amazing Spiderman 2 Set
Giamatti will take on a vastly different role for his Downton Abbey appearance.

Paul Giamatti, Ides of March Premiere
He will not be a permanent addition, however.