“Alien: Earth”: Did you notice the subtle appearance of series creator Noah Hawley?

Alien: Earth boasts a vibrant cast, featuring Timothy Olyphant as the synthetic Kirsh and Sydney Chandler as the human-AI hybrid Wendy. The show also introduces a delightful surprise: series creator Noah Hawley, who has previously brought us series like Fargo and Legion. In the first episode, titled “Neverland,” Hawley makes his acting debut, portraying Wendy and Joe’s (Alex Lawther) father in a series of brief flashbacks.

However, Noah isn’t the only member of his family taking part in Alien: Earth. His 12-year-old son, Lev Hawley, appears as young Joe in those same flashbacks. Much like his father, Lev’s involvement marks his debut in acting—and his role inspired Noah to step in front of the camera himself.

In May, Hawley shared with a publication that his son expressed a desire to have a role in the show.

“I thought, ‘Okay, well, he could play Alex [Lawther] at a young age, but then what am I going to do? Cast some day players to come in, when [Lev] has never acted before? I figured it would be easier if I did it,” Hawley reflected. “I get down on the floor with him and improvise, and I can make him relax. It felt like the best way to direct him.” He further noted, “There’s something nice and metaphorical about being my lead actor’s parent.”

While the Hawley family’s appearance in Alien: Earth is heartwarming, it may be a brief moment. Noah mentioned, “Don’t look out for a lot of me in the show.” You can now enjoy Alien: Earth, streaming on Hulu, with new episodes premiering Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.