Series Review: "Agent Carter" (2015-16).

"Sometimes the best man for the job... is a woman" in Agent Carter. This television series created by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, based on the Marvel Comics character and produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and shares continuity with the franchise's films and other television series. It follows the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger and the 2013 Marvel One-Shot short film of Agent Carter. Set in 1946, and peace has dealt Agent Carter a blow as she finds herself marginalized when the men return home from aboard. Working for the covert SSR, Peggy finds herself doing administrative work when she would rather be out in the field taking down the bad guys. She is also trying to navigate life as a single woman, in the wake of losing the love of her life, Captain America. When old acquaintance Howard Stark finds himself framed for unleashing his deadliest weapons he contacts Peggy to track down those responsible and clear his name.

In July 2013, a potential Agent Carter series was initially brought up by Louis D'Esposito, after a screening of his Agent Carter One-Shot at San Diego Comic-Con. By September, Marvel Television was developing a series inspired by the short film and was in search of a writer for the series. In January 2014, ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee confirmed that the show was in development, and revealed that Hayley Atwell would reprise her role and Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas and Chris Dingess would serve as showrunners. In March, Markus & McFeely stated that they envisioned the series, which had not yet been greenlit, as a limited series of approximately thirteen episodes. Additionally, Markus and McFeely stated that the series would be set in 1946 initially, occurring in the middle of the timeline established in the One-Shot. By April, there were indications that the series would be ordered straight to series, bypassing a pilot order, and would air between the late 2014 and early 2015 portions of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., if that series got a second season renewal. In early May, ABC officially ordered the series for eight episodes. In early May 2015, the series was renewed for a second season. Despite a positive critical response, viewership fell, in mid May 2016, ABC canceled the series.

The series stars Atwell, James D'Arcy, Chad Michael Murray, Enver Gjokaj, Shea Whigham, Dominic Cooper, Lyndsy Fonseca, Ralph Brown and Kurtwood Smith. Atwell is a star. She's endlessly charismatic, a credible action star, and capably shoulders the sometimes overwrought drama thrust upon her. What sets this show apart is Peggy Carter, whose dedication to duty combined with her strong sense of humanity creates a complex character that is both empowered and likable.

The show will not surprise you. But if you don't want or need to be surprised, it's a pretty well-paced, gorgeously shot and fast-moving show. Even if the show has elements of shows you've seen before, it helps that the show's star has real charisma and presence.

Simon says Agent Carter receives:

Also, see my review for Captain America: The First Avenger.