‘Justified’ Season 4 Taps Ron Eldard As Boyd Crowder’s Villainous New Buddy

At this rate, it looks like the fourth season of FX's hit gunslinger drama 'Justified' might have more friends than enemies, the way these casting notices keep coming out. A few weeks ago we heard the awesome news that comedian Patton Oswalt would join the Timothy Olyphant series as sidekick and high school friend to Raylan Givens, and now it seems Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) will have a new friend of his own. But who is Ron Eldard's mysterious military man?

It's always cause for concern when Boyd Crowder has a new friend, let alone one with connections. With the fourth season of FX's critically acclaimed 'Justified' due out of the holster some time in early 2013, TVLine has learned of a major new casting for the year. 'ER' vet and character actor Ron Eldard has been chosen for the role of military police seargeant Colt, an old acquaintance of Boyd's.

Described as "violent, dark-humored and rule-bending," Eldard's Cole is a veteran of several wars and became friends with Boyd after jailing him several times during their time in Kuwait. It isn't yet known what would bring Cole to Harlan, or how Boyd's reception of his former friend will be.

In addition to a returning David Meunier (Johnny Crowder), 'Justified' season 4 also boasts Patton Oswalt as a nostalgic high school classmate of Raylan's and local constable Bob Sweeney. Yet to be cast are the roles of a fugitive family man who teams up with a pair of drug addicts, and a charismatic young preacher who starts cutting into Boyd’s profits.

What say you? How you you think 'Justified' season 4 will play out with Ron Eldard as Boyd's new friend?