By the end of Season 3, Van Alden resorts to hiring himself out as an enforcer for Dean O'Banion (Arron Shiver) and eventually Al Capone (Stephen Graham), still going by the name George Mueller to avoid the authorities. The final season sees Van Alden struggling to keep the lifestyle of associate/muscle George Mueller balanced during his second failing marriage, this time to Sigrid. Van Alden has since partnered with Thompson's brother Eli (Shea Whigham) who knows Van Alden's true identity. Mike Malone (Louis Cancelmi), an undercover agent in Capone's crew, who goes by the alias Mike D'Angelo, recognizes Van Alden and both he and Eli agree to work with Malone to help take Capone down. Van Alden also learns that Eli is having an affair with Sigrid. Eli and Van Alden eventually return to Capone's hotel to steal ledgers as proof of his tax evasion, but Capone's brother Ralph (Domenick Lombardozzi) becomes suspicious of their behavior. The Capone brothers confront them with Malone present, unaware Malone is working undercover. With Van Alden's deteriorating home life and facing death at the hands of the Capones, he snaps and attacks the brothers while Eli and Malone watch in shock. In a rage, Van Alden confesses his true identity while choking Capone. But before he can successfully strangle him, Malone shoots and kills Van Alden in order to ensure that he is not exposed as a federal agent. The Capones then foolishly entrust Malone with the ledgers. Van Alden's death unwittingly leads to Capone going to prison for tax evasion. Reception Nelson Van Alden has been frequently cited as a fan-favorite on Boardwalk Empire. The role earned Shannon three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Despite starring on the series for all five seasons, Shannon claims to only have watched a "little bit" of the show. References External links Agent Nelson Van Alden character bio at HBO.com Boardwalk Empire Fictional gangsters Television characters introduced in 2010 Drama television characters Fictional murderers Fictional American federal law enforcement officers American male characters in television Fictional murdered people