Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. had a tough time at first.  It didn’t get the best critical reception and saw its ratings slip as the season progressed.  Having lost interest after the fourth episode, clearly I can’t comment, but our own Evan Valentine pointed out that things did improve after a certain big twist.  Perhaps I’ll have to take his word for it because not only did Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. score a second season, but it also just added Xena star Lucy Lawless to the cast.

Since playing Xena, Lawless has been all over the place on the TV side of the business having appeared on Battlestar Galactica, Spartacus, Parks and Recreation and more.  Hit the jump for more on Lawless’ casting as well as the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel’s Agent Carter San Diego Comic-Con crossover poster.  Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns on Tuesday, September 23rd at 9/8c and Agent Carter will premiere in January 2015.

Both bits of news come from TVGuide.com.  In regards to Lawless’ casting, they’ve got absolutely no information on her role, which isn’t much of a surprise.  Perhaps we’ll get more details at the Marvel Television SDCC panel on Friday the 25th at 3:00pm.

And speaking off that panel, it’s going to pair Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with their new show, Marvel’s Agent Carter starring Hayley Atwell.  In honor of the Ballroom 20 merger, TVGuide.com also unveiled this SDCC artwork showing off the two shows together.  Whether you make it into the panel or not, you can still get your hands on this poster.  They’ll be handing them out for free at the Marvel Booth (2329) on the convention center floor.

Here’s the official synopsis for Marvel’s Agent Carter:

“Marvel’s Agent Carter,” starring Captain America’s Hayley Atwell follows the story of Peggy Carter. It’s 1946, and peace has dealt Peggy Carter a serious blow as she finds herself marginalized when the men return home from fighting abroad. Working for the covert SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve), Peggy must balance doing administrative work and going on secret missions for Howard Stark all while trying to navigate life as a single woman in America, in the wake of losing the love of her life–Steve Rogers. Inspired by the feature films “Captain America: The First Avenger” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” along with the short “Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter.”

Starring Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter, “Marvel’s Agent Carter” is executive produced by Christopher Markus, Steve McFeely, Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Jeph Loeb.