Marvel's ABC television series

From September 2013 to August 2020, a slate of interconnected superhero dramas defined the first major expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond the big screen. Produced by Marvel Television in partnership with ABC Studios, these shows explored the fallout of global events like the Battle of New York through the eyes of government agents, historical figures, and royal families. The collection included Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, and Inhumans, creating a unified continuity that acknowledged film events while building its own long-form narrative arcs.

The cornerstone of this era was Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premiered just months after The Avengers. It followed Director Phil Coulson as he led a team investigating mysterious phenomena, eventually evolving from a procedural crime drama into a high-stakes sci-fi epic dealing with time travel and multiverse threats. Agent Carter offered a period piece alternative set in the 1940s and 50s, starring Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter navigating sexism and espionage while secretly working for the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Inhumans, released in 2017, attempted to introduce the royal family of Attilan but faced production delays and mixed reception before cancellation. [edit]

The franchise began immediately following the destruction of New York City in 2012. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. opened with Agent Phil Coulson returning from the dead to assemble a specialized task force. Initially focused on hunting down individuals with unusual abilities linked to Loki's scepter, the show quickly expanded its scope. By the second season, the narrative shifted toward a conspiracy involving Hydra cells embedded within S.H.I.E.L.D., forcing the team to go rogue. The story continued to escalate with alien invasions, ancient Kree technology, and the introduction of Inhuman powers. Later seasons introduced time travel mechanics and a war against an ancient race known as the Chronicoms who sought to erase humanity from history. The show ran for seven seasons, concluding with the team sacrificing their memories to save the timeline.

Agent Carter took place in a different era entirely. Set in 1946 Los Angeles, the series followed Peggy Carter as she balanced her duties as a single mother with her secret work for the Strategic Scientific Reserve. She fought against HYDRA remnants trying to weaponize a new form of super soldier serum while battling institutional sexism within her own agency. The show blended noir detective elements with supernatural horror, introducing characters like Edwin Jarvis and Howard Stark. After two seasons, the series concluded with Peggy Carter moving on to lead a new division of the organization, setting the stage for future intelligence operations.

Inhumans focused on the royal family of Attilan fleeing a destroyed home world. Black Bolt and his family arrived on Earth seeking refuge, only to find themselves hunted by the U.S. military and internal rebels led by Maximus. The series struggled with pacing issues and failed to capture the grandeur of the source material, resulting in a rushed conclusion that left many plot threads unresolved. Despite these challenges, the three series collectively laid the groundwork for the current Disney+ era, proving that television could sustain the complex storytelling of the MCU.[edit]