There's an argument to be made that in addition to its gorgeous costuming and stellar lead casting (Hayley Atwell is so perfect in the role), ABC's Agent Carter could still stand to liven up its proceedings a little more. The show was on the bubble last year, but managed to be renewed for Season 2. And it looks like the bosses are already shaking things up a little bit with some great casting news.
According to Variety, Ken Marino has been cast in Agent Carter Season 2 as the mob boss Joseph Manfredi, who is the "volatile leader in the Maggia crime syndicate who will help Peggy Carter's (Atwell) adversaries further their agenda." The flaming cheek!
If you don't know who Ken Marino is, then I'm sorry to say you've missed out on a lot of great television. Burning Love, Wet Hot American Summer (and First Day of Camp), Party Down, Children's Hospital, Eastbound and Down ... you get the picture. Even when Marino isn't playing a specifically comedic role, though, he definitely brings his own unique sensibilities to his roles that are distinct and, usually, still really funny.
Agent Carter exec producers who also worked with Marino on the show Reapers, said of the casting:
We’ve loved working with Ken ever since he played a gay ex-demon for us on ‘Reaper,’ and we were so happy he was available for this role. His range is incredible — he can go from comedy to romance to drama with ease. Writing for him is easy, because he can do pretty much anything. And he used to have a karaoke room in his house, which makes him even more awesome.
Marvel’s head of television and exec producer Jeph Loeb added,
At Marvel, even our villains need a certain degree of charm as they make life difficult for our heroes. Ken brings a quality to Joseph Manfredi that only serves to make him even more menacing, adding another layer of depth to our already outstanding supporting cast.
I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what Marino brings to the part, and also what Agent Carter has in store for Season 2, which will premiere in 2016, and also stars James D’Arcy, Chad Michael Murray and Enver Gjokaj.
