In his pursuit to take over Hydra, Grant Ward has sought out the estranged son of former leader Baron Wolfgang von Strucker to help him rebuild the nefarious organization. Werner von Strucker has been living a life of luxury while being kept out of the family business, but he's ready to prove his worth.
Spencer Treat Clark joins "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." as the young Strucker, who has been living under the pseudonym Alexander Braun and enjoying his father's wealth surrounded by beautiful women on large yachts.
The 28-year-old actor is best known for his early roles in films such as "Gladiator," "Unbreakable" and "Mystic River." He has also appeared on TV shows such as "Mad Men," "Law & Order: Special Victims" and "The Good Wife."
Learn more about Hydra's new bad boy and Clark's return to the Whedonverse.
1. Clark was already a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It doesn't get much better than joining a show and a franchise that you already love, and Clark hit the jackpot on "S.H.I.E.L.D." playing the son of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker who the Avengers killed in "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
So far, he shares a combative relationship with Ward (Brett Dalton), who has brought him back into the organization. Werner/Alexander's first mission will be infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. through the agency go-to psychologist and Agent May's ex-husband, Andrew Garner (Blair Underwood).
"This is his attempt to reconcile the death of his father, sort of prove himself as an individual," the Connecticut native told Marvel. "I want to see where his relationship goes with Ward because right now it's really contentious. I would think that they would come to some sort of arrangement and some sort of agreement but I have no idea."
2. Clark starred in his first Whedon production in 2012's "Much Ado About Nothing."
The Whedon family tends to bring back actors from their previous projects to star in their new movies and TV shows. Clark starred in "S.H.I.E.L.D." executive producer Joss Whedon's retelling of the Shakespeare comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" in 2012.
The film also starred Clark Gregg, who plays Phil Coulson on "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," as well as Amy Acker and Reed Diamond who has both guest-starred on the ABC series.
3. He earned a degree in political science and economics from Columbia University.
Clark grew up in Connecticut and attended the prestigious Taft School before enrolling at Columbia University in New York City. He completed degrees for political science and economics all while continuing to act professionally in film and television. He graduated in 2010.
4. A lot of big name actors have played his on-screen parents.
Clark's first big screen role came in film role came in 1999's "Arlington Road" as Jeff Bridges' son. The same year he played Ashley Judd's son in "Double Jeopardy."
His next three films were some of the most successful movies of the 21st century - the Oscar-winning "Gladiator," "Unbreakable" and "Mystic River." Connie Nielsen played his mother in "Gladiator," co-starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix; Bruce Willis was his father in "Unbreakable"; and starred alongside Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon in "Mystic River."
5. Clark's sister Eliza is also in the business as a screenwriter and playwright.
Eliza attended Yale University where she directed several productions and participated in the comedy troupes Viola Question and The Fifth Humour. She has gone on to work for the AMC shows "Rubicon," and "The Killing" and the CBS series, "Extant."
