List of Marvel Cinematic Universe television series | |
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File:AoSAgentCarterPoster.jpg | |
Based on | Characters published by Marvel Comics |
Starring | See below |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 4 (across 3 series) |
No. of episodes | 65 |
Production | |
Executive producers | |
Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | |
Release | September 24, 2013 present | –
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series are American superhero television shows, based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The shows have been in production since 2013, and in that time Marvel Television, along with ABC Studios, has premiered three series, with six more in development.
By July 2012, Marvel began considering expanding to television after the positive response to Marvel's The Avengers, with the series that eventually became known as Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. By September 2013, Marvel was once again developing another series due to positive reception from one of their properties, this time due to the Agent Carter One-Shot, eventually becoming the series Marvel's Agent Carter. In November 2013, it was announced that Marvel and Netflix would air live-action series based on Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage, as well as a miniseries based on the Defenders.
Clark Gregg stars as Phil Coulson in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., reprising his role from the MCU films. In Agent Carter, Hayley Atwell also reprises her role of Peggy Carter from the films. Marvel's Daredevil introduces Charlie Cox to the MCU in the titular role, while Marvel's A.K.A. Jessica Jones will introduce Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, as well as Mike Colter as Luke Cage, who will then go on to lead his own series, Marvel's Luke Cage. The series have also seen various other cast and characters from films and Marvel One-Shots reprise their roles.
The first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premiered in September 2013 on ABC. It was followed by Agent Carter, which premiered in January 2015, also on ABC. The MCU also has television series streamed on Netflix, starting with Daredevil in April 2015, followed by A.K.A. Jessica Jones later that year and Luke Cage the next. Marvel's Iron Fist will round out the individual series, before the streaming of a crossover miniseries, Marvel's The Defenders.
Further information: Marvel Television |
By July 2012, Marvel Television had entered into discussions with ABC to do a show set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,[1] and in August, ABC ordered a pilot for a show called S.H.I.E.L.D., to be written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen, and directed by Joss Whedon.[2] By September 2013, Marvel was also developing a series inspired by the Agent Carter One-Shot, featuring Peggy Carter[3] and in January 2014, ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee confirmed that the show was in development, with the script for a potential pilot to be written by Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: The Winter Soldier writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.[4]
By April 2015, Marvel was developing a spinoff series of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The series, which was being developed by Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell and writer Paul Zbyszewski, would be based on storylines occurring at the end of the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and would receive its own pilot rather than a backdoor pilot.[5] Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood entered into discussions to headline the potential new series as their characters Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter, respectively.[6] By the middle of the month, Marvel was working with screenwriter John Ridley to craft a new television series, "reinventing" an existing Marvel character or property.[7] By May 7, 2015, when ABC announced their series renewals and cancellations, and new series pickups, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff was passed on.[8] On passing on the intended series, ABC entertainment president Paul Lee said, "We thought the right thing now is to leave [Palicki and Blood] on S.H.I.E.L.D., because S.H.I.E.L.D. is so strong on the moment," though he did not rule out returning to the spinoff in the future. Additionally, he confirmed that Ridley was working on a Marvel property for ABC.[9] According to Heroic Hollywood, the network are overdeveloping Cloak and Dagger, Ms. Marvel and a Hulk prequel TV series.[10]
By October 2013, Marvel was preparing four drama series and a miniseries, totaling 60 episodes, to present to video on demand services and cable providers, with Netflix, Amazon, and WGN America expressing interest.[11] In November 2013, it was announced that Disney would provide Netflix with live-action series based on Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage, leading up to a miniseries based on the Defenders.[12] Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that Netflix was chosen to air the shows, "when Disney realized it could use the streaming service as a way to grow the popularity of the characters". He added that, if the characters prove popular, they could become feature films.[13] In a February 2014 interview for the One-Shot All Hail the King, writer/director Drew Pearce confirmed the upcoming Netflix series would exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[14]
Later in February, Marvel announced that the Netflix series would be filmed in New York City, beginning in mid-2014, and confirmed that all the series leading to The Defenders would be 13 one-hour episodes each, and The Defenders would be a 4–8 episode miniseries concluding the other series.[15] In April 2014, Marvel Comics' editor-in-chief Joe Quesada stated that the shows would be filming in areas of Brooklyn and Long Island City that still look like the old Hell’s Kitchen, in addition to sound stage work. He also confirmed that the series are set within the MCU, and that, beyond connecting to themselves, would connect with the films and other television series. As well, Quesada added that the episodes for each series would be released all at once, as opposed to a serialized format, to encourage binge-watching, that has been successful for other Netflix series.[16] The series will be released in "roughly one-year intervals".[17] Regarding this, Sarandos said, "Some [series] will roll in as early as eight months and others in 15 months apart, and basically what it is is we’re not trying to meet a fall programming schedule or trying to hit a grid number... [W]e want to give them enough room and enough time to make a great show, so I don’t want to set up a rigid timetable and deliver a show every eight months or every twelve months, but you should expect them about a year apart."[18]
In June 2014, MCU films' producer Kevin Feige stated he believed the series would "fall under the umbrella of the Cinematic Universe" as the ABC series do, but felt the television division was making sure each series stands strong on their own like the films, before going back to add the "fun" connecting pieces.[19] In August 2014, on whether any of the Netflix series could crossover with the Marvel Studios feature films, Netflix COO Ted Sarandos said, "It has definitely been talked about."[20] In October 2014, Feige said the opportunity "certainly" exists for characters in the Netflix series to appear in Avengers: Infinity War.[21]
In April 2015, head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, explained that "In the world of Marvel Comics, Jessica Jones, and Matt Murdock, and Danny Rand, and Luke Cage all had a previous existing relationship and all grew up on the same kind of stoop in New York. So it lent itself to a world. Does that mean these shows are going to be the same? No. They can't be. The characters have different issues, different problems, different feelings about them. While I don't think they'll be as varied, the example that I continually give is that I cannot think of two films that are more different in tone than The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. And yet, if you watch them back to back, they feel very Marvel. They feel very much like, 'Oh, it is still the same universe that I'm in.'"[22] According to Heroic Hollywood, Netflix are overdeveloping Blade, Ghost Rider and Punisher TV series as phase 2.[10]
Series | Season | Episodes | Originally aired | Showrunner(s) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||||
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 1 | 22 | September 24, 2013 | May 13, 2014 | Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen and Jeffrey Bell[23] | |
2 | 22 | September 23, 2014 | May 12, 2015 | |||
3 | 22[24] | September 2015[24] | TBA | TBA | ||
Marvel's Agent Carter | 1 | 8 | January 6, 2015 | February 24, 2015 | Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas and Chris Dingess[25] | |
2 | 10[26] | Early 2016[27] | TBA | TBA |
Main article: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |
Agent Phil Coulson puts together a small team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to handle strange new cases.[28] After discovering that Project Centipede and their leader, "The Clairvoyant", were affiliated with Hydra, Coulson and his team must deal with Hydra members still at large following Hydra's infiltration of, and the destruction of, S.H.I.E.L.D., while also looking to restore trust from the government and public.[29] In the wake of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s wars with Hydra and the Inhumans, Coulson begins a secret mission to protect the world from new threats.[30]
Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen and Jeffrey Bell act as the series' showrunners,[23] while Clark Gregg reprises his role from the films as Phil Coulson.[31] On April 6, 2013, after previously being known only as S.H.I.E.L.D., ABC announced that the show would be titled Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,[32] and it was officially ordered to series on May 10, 2013.[33] The series was renewed for a second season on May 8, 2014,[34] and a third on May 7, 2015.[35]
The first season, which premiered on September 24, 2013,[36] aired episodes that directly relate to events in the films Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.[37][38] The revelation in Captain America: The Winter Soldier that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been infiltrated by Hydra had a huge impact on the series. Regarding the synergy the show had with addressing events from the film, Loeb said, "It's an extremely unique experience that doesn't exist anywhere else out there in the entertainment business."[39] The second season, which premiered on September 23, 2014,[40] introduced Inhumans to the MCU.[41] Additionally, a recurring plot point in the first two seasons involved the body of a member of the Kree race, who play a significant role in Guardians of the Galaxy.[42]
In the first season, Samuel L. Jackson,[43] Cobie Smulders,[44] Maximiliano Hernández,[45] Titus Welliver[46] and Jaimie Alexander[47] all reprised their roles as Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Jasper Sitwell, Felix Blake, and Sif, respectively, from previous MCU films and One-Shots. In the second season, Alexander and Smulders return,[48][49] while Hayley Atwell,[50] Neal McDonough, Kenneth Choi,[51] and Henry Goodman[52][53] also reprise their roles as Peggy Carter, Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan, Jim Morita, and List, respectively, from previous MCU films.
Main article: Agent Carter (TV series) |
In 1946, Peggy Carter must balance the routine office work she does for the Strategic Scientific Reserve while secretly assisting Howard Stark, who finds himself framed for supplying deadly weapons to the top bidder. Carter is assisted by Stark's butler, Edwin Jarvis, to find those responsible and dispose of the weapons.[54][55] Carter eventually moves from New York City to Los Angeles to deal with the threats of the new atomic age in the wake of World War II, gaining new friends, a new home and potential new love.[56]
Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas[4] and Chris Dingess act as showrunners on the series,[25] while Hayley Atwell reprise her role from the films as Peggy Carter.[4] On May 8, 2014, ABC officially ordered Marvel's Agent Carter to series.[34] It premiered on January 6, 2015[57] and was renewed for a second season on May 7, 2015.[35]
The first season sees Dominic Cooper reprise his role of Howard Stark from Captain America: The First Avenger.[58] James D'Arcy portrays Edwin Jarvis,[59] Stark's butler in the series who eventually serves as inspiration for Tony Stark's artificial intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S.[60] Costa Ronin portrays a young Anton Vanko, the co-creator of the arc reactor with Stark.[61] Chris Evans appears as Steve Rogers / Captain America via archive footage from The First Avenger.[62] McDonough and Toby Jones reprise their roles as Dugan and Arnim Zola, respectively.[63][64]
Series | Season | Episodes | Originally streamed | Showrunner(s) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marvel's Daredevil | 1 | 13 | April 10, 2015 | Steven S. DeKnight[65] | ||
2 | TBA | 2016[66] | Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez[66] | |||
Marvel's A.K.A. Jessica Jones | 1 | 13[15] | 2015[67] | Melissa Rosenberg[68] | ||
Marvel's Luke Cage | 1 | 13[15] | 2016[69] | Cheo Hodari Coker[69] | ||
Marvel's Iron Fist | 1 | 13[15] | TBA | TBD | ||
Marvel's The Defenders | 1 | 4–8[15] | TBA | TBD |
Main article: Daredevil (TV series) |
Lawyer-by-day Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses from being blinded as a young boy to fight crime at night on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil.[70]
In December 2013, Marvel confirmed that Drew Goddard will be the executive producer and showrunner for Daredevil, and will write and direct the first episode.[71] In March 2014, Loeb stated that Daredevil would begin filming in July 2014.[72] At the end of May 2014, it was announced that Goddard would no longer be the showrunner for the series, being replaced by Steven S. DeKnight. Goddard, who wrote the first two episodes, will remain with the show as an executive producer. It was also revealed that the series would be titled Marvel's Daredevil.[65] A few days later, Charlie Cox was cast as Daredevil.[73] All episodes premiered on April 10, 2015.[74] A second season was ordered on April 21, 2015, with all episodes set to premiere in 2016. Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez take over as showrunners from DeKnight, who could not return to the series due to a prior commitment.[66]
Main article: A.K.A. Jessica Jones |
Former superhero Jessica Jones, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, opens her own detective agency to help people, including other superheroes.[75]
In November 2013, Melissa Rosenberg was announced to write and executive produce the series.[68] In March 2014, Loeb stated that A.K.A. Jessica Jones would begin filming after Daredevil.[72] In December 2014, Krysten Ritter was cast as Jessica Jones in the series,[76] officially titled Marvel's A.K.A Jessica Jones.[67] Filming began in New York City in February 2015.[77] The series is set to premiere in 2015.[67]
In December 2014, Mike Colter was cast as Luke Cage,[78] a recurring role in the series before headlining his own series.[75]
Luke Cage is an ex-con with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who fights crime on the streets of Hell's Kitchen.[79][80]
Mike Colter will star as Luke Cage in his own series,[75][78] titled Marvel's Luke Cage.[69] In March 2014, Loeb stated that the series would begin filming after Iron Fist, being the fourth of the individual series.[72] By March 2015, it was instead slated to be the third of the individual series, beginning production after A.K.A. Jessica Jones.[81][66] Also in the month, Cheo Hodari Coker was announced as showrunner and executive producer of the series. The series is set to premiere in 2016.[69]
Danny Rand is a martial arts expert, and the superhero Iron Fist.[79]
In March 2014, Loeb initially stated that the Iron Fist series would begin filming after A.K.A. Jessica Jones as the third of the individual series.[72] By March 2015, it was expected to be the fourth of the individual series, entering production following Luke Cage.[81][66] In April 2015, the title of the series was revealed to be Marvel's Iron Fist.[66]
The superheroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist team-up in New York City.[79]
The Defenders will see Cox, Ritter, and Colter reprising their roles as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, respectively, from previous television series.[79] In March 2014, Loeb stated that the miniseries, officially titled Marvel's The Defenders, would begin filming after all of the individual series.[66][72]
Further information: List of Marvel Cinematic Universe television series actors |
List indicator(s)
- This table includes main characters who have appeared in multiple seasons, as defined by the FAQ.
- Series seasons, within the network season, are ordered based on the premiere date.
- A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the season, or that the character's presence in the season has not yet been announced.
Series | Season | Originally aired | Nielsen ratings | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season premiere | Total viewers (in millions) |
Season finale | Total viewers (in millions) |
Average total viewers (inc. DVR) (in millions) |
Rank | 18–49 rating/share (rank) | |||
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 1 | September 24, 2013 | 12.12[93] | May 13, 2014 | 5.45[94] | 8.31 | 43 | 3.0/9 (20)[95] | |
2 | September 23, 2014 | 5.98[96] | May 12, 2015 | 3.88[97] | 7.09 | 76 | 2.7 (32)[98] | ||
Agent Carter | 1 | January 6, 2015 | 6.91[99] | February 24, 2015 | 4.02[100] | 7.14 | 74 | 2.3 (46)[98] |
Series | Season | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 1 | 86% (43 reviews)[101] | 74 (33 reviews)[102] | |
2 | 94% (17 reviews)[103] | — | ||
Agent Carter | 1 | 97% (34 reviews)[104] | 73 (26 reviews)[105] | |
Daredevil | 1 | 98% (41 reviews)[106] | 75 (22 reviews)[107] |