Nelson Van Alden

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Nelson Kasper Van Alden is a fictional character on Boardwalk Empire, played by Michael Shannon. He starts as a strict, religiously devout agent for the U.S. Bureau of Prohibition, working to take down bootleggers.

Not much is known about his childhood, but in season 2 he explains his parents believed Jesus would return in 1892. They sold the family farm and lived in poverty to try to gain favor with God, which caused a rift between them. He later becomes an agent for Prohibition.

In season 1, Van Alden is Nucky Thompson’s main opponent. His rigid ethics and anger push him toward dangerous actions. He kills his corrupt partner Eric Sebso and has a one-night stand with Nucky’s former mistress, who becomes pregnant.

Season 2 shows him trying to hide his crimes. He keeps the mistress and their baby hidden and becomes the prime suspect in Sebso’s murder.

Season 3 finds him on the run with his infant daughter and the nanny Sigrid, using the alias George Mueller in Chicago. He works as a home appliance salesman but is mocked by coworkers. After a violent outburst, he kills several men who attack him and then begins working as an enforcer for Dean O’Banion and later Al Capone, still under the Mueller name. He and Sigrid also have a son.

In the final season, Van Alden struggles with a failing marriage and continues his criminal double life. He teams up with Eli Thompson, who knows his true identity, and undercover agent Mike Malone plans to bring Capone down. During a confrontation at Capone’s hotel, Van Alden’s true identity is revealed and he is shot and killed by Malone. The ledgers Van Alden and others sought to steal help lead to Capone’s imprisonment for tax evasion.

Van Alden is considered a fan favorite, and Michael Shannon’s performance earned critical acclaim and SAG Award nominations.