The Emmy Award winner will portray the leader of the U.S. in Independence Day 2, following in the footsteps of Bill Pullman, who portrayed President Whitmore in the original 1996 blockbuster film.

The project reunites Ward with director Roland Emmerich, who last worked with her on 2004 disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow.

Ward joins returning Independence Day stars Pullman, Jeff Goldblum and Vivica A. Fox, as well as newcomers Liam Hemsworth and Charlotte Gainsbourg for the much-anticipated follow-up.