'Big Bang Theory' season 10 release date, spoilers & cast news: Dean Norris cast in recurring role; sitcom expected to continue beyond S10

An Air Force captain will be paying the "Big Bang Theory" crew a visit in the sitcom's upcoming tenth season.

According to Entertainment Weekly, actor Dean Norris, who played the role of Hank in AMC's "Breaking Bad," has been tapped for a multi-episode arc in the long-running CBS comedy.

Norris will appear in the first three episodes of the upcoming season. Apart from "Breaking Bad," the actor has also appeared in a long list of films, including "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006), "The Cell" (2000), and "The Negotiator" (1998); and in TV shows "Criminal Minds," "The Mentalist," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

In "Big Bang Theory," he will play Captain Williams, a "tough Air Force representative" working for the Department of Materiel Command. Captain Williams will be seeking out the "Big Bang Theory" boys to learn more about their quantum gyroscope.

In the season 9 finale, Howard (Simon Helberg) had voiced his suspicion that the Air Force was spying on their gyroscope project and its potential use in military operations.

"Based on what we've learned and what we've been researching, it could be fine, but I think there is a small percentage chance that they should actually be concerned," "Big Bang Theory" executive producer Steve Molaro told EW in July. "That storyline is certainly not finished. They have no choice but to see what the Air Force wants and then go from there."

Meanwhile, "Big Bang" fans will be glad to know that CBS expects the show to continue beyond the upcoming season 10.

At the Television Critics Association's summer press tour on Wednesday, Aug. 10, CBS Entertainment chief Glen Geller responded to questions about the cast's upcoming contract renewals, saying, "We are very confident that everyone involved wants more 'Big Bang' past year 10, and I know [producer] Warner Bros. will make those deals."

According to USA Today, the contracts of "Big Bang Theory" stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco are due to expire next May.

Speaking with reporters, Geller later added: "We'll put it on for as long as everyone wants 'Big Bang' on the air. I hope it lasts forever."

"The Big Bang Theory" season 10 premieres Monday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. It moves to its regular timeslot on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. ET.