Marvel casts new ‘Agents of SHIELD’ character to take over a major role

A massive organizational shakeup came at the end of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD season 3, leaving the agency in need of a new director. Never you fear, though, because that director has been found: Irish actor Jason O’Mara is set to play the man who takes over, according to Deadline.

With the series heavily featuring Phil Coulson (played by Clark Gregg), who was promoted to the position of SHIELD director in season 2, it was a big surprise to see him no longer heading up the peacekeeping and spy agency. However, having him answer to a new boss should be interesting, and fresh leadership will likely have a big impact on the entire team as well.

“Bringing Jason into the mix as the new director of SHIELD forces everyone, particularly Coulson, to reevaluate their role in the agency,” said executive producer and Marvel’s head of television, Jeph Loeb. “Jason has both the physical presence and acting dynamics that will connect with and challenge even the most loyal agent.”

O’Mara’s character has not yet been revealed yet, but Marvel did share that the new director can be traced back to the publisher’s 1940s comic books. The actor himself, on the other hand, is new to the MCU, in spite of being well-versed in the superhero genre. Ironically, his resume is very DC Universe-heavy; the actor has voiced Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) in numerous direct-to-video animated Justice League movies.

O’Mara’s work also includes a recurring role on CBS’ The Good Wife, the USA Network series Complications, and more. He’ll next appear in Jadotville, which will soon be available on Netflix. The actor joins a cast that also stars Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, and Chloe Bennet, among others.

Agents of SHIELD is co-created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen, who also executive produce alongside Loeb and Jeffrey Bell. Marvel Television and ABC Studios produce. Season 4 of the superhero series will premiere on Tuesday, September 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.