More details are surfacing about the proposed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff that we caught wind of a couple weeks ago. While not a ratings smash, the Marvel series has found its footing in Season 2 and does appear to be holding a loyal if relatively small audience, and ABC is open to possibility expanding the franchise despite the disappointment of Agent Carter. When word first broke about a potential Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff, details were non-existent, but now casting news has surfaced that shines a light on the idea.

Per Deadline, Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood—who joined Season 2 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Mockingbird and Lance Hunter, respectively—are finalizing deals to headline the spinoff series. This seems to suggest that the new show would revolve around these two characters, a former husband and wife duo that also happen to be highly trained spies.

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Image via ABC

The plan is to introduce a storyline at the end of this current season that would be picked up in the spinoff, so fans will no doubt have a clearer idea of what a Mockingbird & Lance TV show would be in short order.


ABC will not give a greenlight to the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff until the script comes in, which is being written by S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producers Jeffrey Bell and Paul Zbyszewski, but the hope is that it can be squared away before next month’s upfronts. If ABC does order the show to series, Zbyszewski is expected to act as showrunner.

It’s still a bit surprising that ABC is keen on expanding the Marvel TV brand when Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fell far short of expectations given the popularity of Marvel, and Agent Carter flatlined in the ratings earlier this year (it remains in contention for Season 2, but it’s unlikely). That said, brand may be more important than numbers, and if that’s the case then the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. franchise may indeed be growing.

I don’t watch the show so I’ll defer to you, readers, as to whether a Palicki and Blood-centric spinoff series is a good idea. Sound off in the comments below.