Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter presented together at the Marvel Television panel today, and quite a few intriguing hints were dropped for the future.
‘Agent Carter’ is the best job Hayley Atwell has ever had
Showrunners Michelle Fazekas and Tara Butters admitted how excited they were to return for Agent Carter season 2. “I’m really happy because we love it so much, and I really wanted people to love it,” Butters said.
“It’s the best job we’ve ever had,” Fazekas added.
“Me too!” Atwell cried.
On that note, Atwell said that the advantage of the show is that it allows her to explore the “nuances of character” in Peggy Carter. “I jumped at the chance to do it,” Atwell says. “She’s just kind of taken over my life in such an amazing way. She’s so fearless… it’s changed my life.”
James D’Arcy has learned a few things about acting
Jeph Loeb shared the news that, though Jarvis was the toughest character to cast, James D’Arcy was reluctant to take on the role. He didn’t relish the idea of playing a stereotypical English butler — though D’Arcy also insisted that he was concerned that his souffle-cooking abilities weren’t quite up to par.
“We had a long conversation about that, and then they explained to me what acting was,” D’Arcy joked.
In addition, D’Arcy claims he was nervous about the comedy required for the role of Jarvis
“Do you think he can handle it?” Loeb asked the audience — who roared their enthusiastic assent.
Things have changed in ‘Agent Carter’ season 2
Aside from the move to California — which Peggy will undertake as she is called in to solve a murder — Fazekas and Butters caution that circumstances will be different when Agent Carter season 2 begins.
“We’ll see people in different positions,” Fazekas said. “Not everyone is in New York anymore.” And the relationships have shifted as well, as the showrunners suggest that some characters will not be on speaking terms in 1947.
Howard and Jarvis will be busy
As to why Howard’s loyal butler Jarvis will be in California, Fazekas teases that Howard is setting up an estate in Los Angeles — in addition to larger enterprise: A movie studio. And of course, it’s Jarvis’s job to help him.
Both we and D’Arcy are left to hope that Mrs. Jarvis is there to ease the burden.
Peggy makes new friends
The all-important question of Peggy’s love life was also touched upon in the Agent Carter panel. Having acchieved closure on her relationship with Steve, Peggy may not be alone for long.
“She has a few opportunities,” Fazekas teased with a smile.
Next:All the scoop on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’
It’s ‘Daisy’ now
The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel all but confirmed a massive change in the series’s lingo.
“We no longer refer to her as “Skye,” Jeph Loeb said. “We refer to her as Daisy Johnson.” Similarly, a skit filmed by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon featured an “It’s Daisy now!” jar, where poor Maurissa plunked a dollar every time she reverted to the name “Skye.”
The cast has really gelled
The chemistry between old and new actors was evident onstage — even though their characters are often in conflict. (Yes, several jokes were made at Hydra’s expense.) Adrianne Palicki (Bobbi Morse) referred to the show as a family, and a hilarious blooper reel made a clear that they never take themselves too seriously.
… and neither are they above practical jokes from time to time.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is recruiting
When an adorable little girl named Amelia asked if she could join S.H.I.E.L.D., Clark Gregg made an intriguing announcement.
“One of the things we’re most proud of is that Anyone can run S.H.I.E.L.D.,” he said. “We have a number of very strong women who may be running S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future.”
Brett Dalton, of course, offered Amelia a top position at Hydra as well.
In addition, one new Inhuman member was announced — a powered character called Lash will be joining Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3.
Simmons might be seriously dead
The Tancharoen/Whedon video was mostly light-hearted (the words “Season 3 Ideas” headed up a blank whiteboard) but there was an edge of seriousness to the proceedings.
Dartboard with actor’s names aside, a list titled “Who should we kill this season?” included Simmons’s name — followed by the words “Already very dead.”
The shock – echoed by Elizabeth Henstridge on the stage — wasn’t assuaged by the (admittedly hilarious) appearance of BJ Britt in the video. While fans scrambled to make sense of the new information, Britt joked, “I know who you guys should bring back!”