Jason O’Mara takes over from Coulson as new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

ABC and Marvel have released a synopsis for the upcoming fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as revealing Irish actor Jason O’Mara (The Good Wife, Life on Mars) as the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. following Phil Coulson’s (Clark Gregg) removal from his post in the season 3 finale.

O’Mara is described as a mysterious character “whose Marvel roots go back to the 1940s.” Meanwhile, Coulson is now back to being an agent searching for Daisy (Chloe Bennet) aka Quake alongside Mack (Henry Simmons).

Executive Producer and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, said: “Bringing Jason into the mix as the New Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. forces everyone, particularly Coulson, to reevaluate their role in the Agency. Jason has both the physical presence and acting dynamics that will connect with and challenge even the most loyal agent.”

Also reprising their roles in season 4 is, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons.

New cast additions include Gabriel Luna as Robbie Reyes aka Ghost Rider and Lilli Birdsell as Lucy, a beautiful woman with a very violent streak.

There’s still no official confirmation of a return of Nick Blood and Adrianne Palicki as Agents Lance Hunter and Bobbi Morse following the network’s decision not to go ahead with their proposed spin-off, Marvel’s Most Wanted.

The official synopsis for Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD season 4 also reveals Scottish actor John Hannah will be reprising his role as Dr. Radcliffe. Read the full synopsis below…

“In the aftermath of their journey to another planet, Director Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and the rest of the team were driven more than ever to put an end to the Hydra organization. Little did they know that they were up against the deadliest threat they’ve ever faced – an extremely powerful Inhuman, Hive, who was transported back from Maveth in the body of their worst enemy, Grant Ward. The team was able to thwart and kill Hive and take down Hydra, but they are all still mourning the death of fellow agent and Inhuman, Lincoln Campbell.’

“In light of the Sokovia Accords, and with Hydra obliterated, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been legitimatized again and no longer needs to operate in the shadows. Since the world presumes that Coulson is dead, the organization needed a new Director (Jason O’Mara) to be the face of the organization. Coulson finds himself back in the role as an agent and teamed with Mack (Henry Simmons), and together they are tasked with tracking down and confirming the presence of Enhanced people, aka Inhumans. They have been trying to track down and capture Daisy (Chloe Bennet), aka Quake, who has gone rogue in an attempt to atone for sins from the past. But with the world believing that Daisy is a dangerous outlaw who has taken down banks and bridges, the new Director has no qualms about taking her down for good. Agent May (Ming-Na Wen) is tasked with training specialist strike teams, and Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) have taken a big step forward in their relationship. But with Simmons’ new promotion as Special Advisor to the Director in Science and Technology, Fitz, as well as her former team members, finds it hard to confide in or trust her since she’s now the Director’s confidant.’

“Robbie Reyes (Gabriel Luna) will roar into the lives of Agent Coulson and the team as a junkyard mechanic who can turn on a dime into the terrifying Ghost Rider. Will Robbie be a friend or foe to S.H.I.E.L.D. – as well as the world, itself? Meanwhile, Fitz discovers that socially awkward genius and friend Dr. Radcliffe (John Hannah) has started putting the finishing touches on a new, secret invention.”

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4 will air on Tuesday, 20th September on ABC in the US. E4 airs the series in the UK, with the airdate yet to be confirmed.