How very sneaky of you, ABC.

I just found out why Dominic Monaghan is appearing in ABC’s new promo campaign, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with Charlie being resurrected on Lost next season. But that’s exactly what the network wants folks to think. Why? Because they’re trying to keep under wraps the real reason he was playing table soccer with Patrick Dempsey, Courteney Cox, and Ed O’Neill in that clip.

This is the part where I warn you of an incoming spoiler and give you one last chance to bail before continuing on…

Okay, here it goes: The real reason Monaghan is featured in that
cheeky spot is because he’s actually joining the cast of another
hour-long ABC drama series as a full-time series regular. And the net’s brass want it to
be a surprise.

A big surprise.

As a result, they’ve kindly asked
me not to ID the show he’ll be joining. And, being the understanding and cooperative creature that I am, I very reluctantly obliged.

The fact is, assuming it doesn’t leak elsewhere, it will be a neat surprise.

But
don’t let that stop you from posting your theories in the comments
section. Which ABC show do you think Monaghan is joining full time? And
what character do you think he’ll be playing? Speculate away! 

That’s the vibe I got after watching a new ABC promo (embedded below) that just made its way onto the Internets. The cheeky clip, part of the network’s fall ad campaign, features new and returning ABC stars Courteney Cox-Arquette, Ed O’Neill, Patrick Dempsey, and… Dominic Monaghan?!

An ABC spokesperson declined to comment, but a network insider cautions against reading too much into the spot. “There’s obviously a lot of ABC talent in the promo,” the source points out. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that Dominic is returning to Lost.”

Monaghan’s rep, meanwhile, had this response when asked if his client was being resurrected on Lost. “You never know. Stay tuned.”

Watch the clip yourself after the jump and let the speculation continue in the comments section!