 In April 2013 , J. August Richards , one of the stars of an earlier Joss Whedon series , Angel , was also cast in the pilot in an unspecified role , later revealed to be Mike Peterson , the first live @-@ action portrayal of Deathlok , and a recurring character throughout the season . Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon , another Whedon collaborator , was also reportedly considered for Richards ' role . In December 2013 , two recurring characters were set to be added to the series , starting with the episode " T.A.H.I.T.I. " They were described as " an African @-@ American agent who specializes in combat / weapons , and a high @-@ level S.H.I.E.L.D. agent / munitions expert who has past ties to both Coulson and Ward . " On January 13 , 2013 , Bill Paxton was cast as Agent John Garrett , " a rough @-@ and @-@ tumble former cohort of Agent Coulson with a little bit of attitude and cigar @-@ smoking swagger " , for at least four episodes of the season . Jed Whedon said that " We actually discussed Bill Paxton in the room , when we were talking about the character ... Then when he came up as an actual possibility , we couldn 't believe it . " In February , B.J. Britt was cast as Agent Triplett , described as being an associate of Garrett . Saffron Burrows , David Conrad , and Ruth Negga recur as Victoria Hand , Ian Quinn , and Raina , respectively , throughout the season . 
