Bill Paxton is headed to ABC.

The former Big Love star will appear in at least four episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - beginning in late February or early March - as Agent John Garrett, a former cohort of Coulson's.

"We wanted to bring in a rough-and-tumble former [character[ with a little bit of attitude and cigar-smoking swagger, executive producer Jed Whedon tells TV Guide Magazine, adding that Garrett will work alongside Ward and May and adding:

"He is the type who wants to stay out in the field no matter how high-level he gets."

In closing, Whedon teases that Garrett will enter the fold in a "very surprising way" and is "going to help Coulson solve some mysteries and is not afraid to rig an explosive or two."

ABC airs Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episode 12 tonight.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.