In 2013, the Marvel Cinematic Universe transitioned from the big screen to the small screen with Agents Of SHIELD. The flagship series of the MCU was built around The Avengers movie character Phil Coulson and his team of SHIELD agents. Like Coulson, most of his team was created exclusively for the screen before making the jump to comic books.
The most experienced agent on his team was Melinda May. While she maintained she was “just the pilot” in the early episodes of the series, her backstory was slowly revealed as she became a mentor to the younger agents. Ming-Na Wen has played the character for the entire run of the television series, and her likeness has been used to illustrate Agent May for the comic book universe. A woman of few words, May has easily become a fan favorite over the years.
She Was Originally Agent Rice
During the casting process for Agents Of SHIELD, executive producers Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancheroen saw a lot of talent. They also made sure their auditions were open to talent of any ethnicity.
When Ming-Na Wen auditioned for the SHIELD agent for the pilot, she didn’t audition for Agent May. Instead, she auditioned for Agent Rice. Producers knew that there was no way they could keep the name and cast a Chinese-American woman in the role, so Rice became Melinda May.
May Made Her Comic Book Debut In 2015
Two years after the television series debuted, Marvel launched a new comic called SHIELD. It was the third volume to have that title, but that particular volume was unique because it featured SHIELD agents who were originally created for the screen.
Melinda May, Leo Fitz, and Jemma Simmons made their comic book debut as they went on a mission to rescue the Asgardian Heimdall with a few superpowered people.
May’s First Uniform Is Blue For A Reason
As the television series has evolved, the costumes have as well. Melinda May’s costume in the very beginning of the series, however, was crafted with the movies in mind.
While costume designers Anne Foley and Betsy Heimann had May’s SHIELD suit custom made, they also made sure it looked like a familiar uniform. The blue in May’s original uniform is the same blue used for SHIELD agents on the helicarrier in The Avengers.
She Attended The SHIELD Academy In The Early ‘90s
Melinda May’s age is never explicitly stated in the television series. When someone remarks on her age, they usually get a raised eyebrow or a glare. What fans do know is that she had to have been old enough to train with SHIELD in the ‘90s.
We know this because Coulson and May have remarked on being rookies together during the run of the series. They took the same classes at the SHIELD Academy and had some of their first major missions together. With Coulson’s first big mission taking place in 1995, thanks to Captain Marvel, we know that Melinda May had to be at the Academy before that.
May Has More Official Martial Arts Training Than Black Widow
Before the series actually debuted on television, Marvel’s entertainment division released teasers to give fans hints at what kinds of characters would be featured. Phil Coulson appeared in one of those teasers.
In describing Melinda May, he said that she had “more black belts than Romanoff,” referencing the Avenger Black Widow. Considering most of Black Widow’s training wasn’t official, but happened when she was part of a Russian spy program, it’s safe to say that May has more “official” training. Of course, the series did reveal that May began her martial arts training at the age of seven after she was tired of falling on the ice during her figure skating.
She Has A Relationship With Agent Fitz
Fans of the show are well versed in the slow build of the relationship between agents May and Coulson, as well as the obstacle-filled path to romance for agents Fitz and Simmons. What some fans might not realize is that in another universe, May and Fitz had a relationship.
In the comics, Fitz pursued a romantic relationship with May, and to the surprise of most readers, she agreed to a date. Just whether or not that relationship went anywhere was never revealed.
Her Knee Injury In Season Five Was Inspired By Real Life
When the fifth season began and the SHIELD team was launched into the future, May had a tough time adjusting - especially since she had a piece of pipe go right through her leg. Her promotional images for the season even featured a bandage wrapped around her leg. That injury, making her character more vulnerable in fight scenes, was inspired by real life.
While filming season four, Wen actually tore her ACL. She had to have surgery and physical therapy. That injury was written into the show to give her a bit of a break from the physicality of the role.
May Witnessed Inhuman Abilities When SHIELD Went After Hulk
When the series decided to delve into May’s background, revealing the origin of her Cavalry nickname, something interesting was also revealed about the timeline. May and Coulson pursued a “gifted” individual in Bahrain at the same time that SHIELD was looking for someone else.
The events of the movies Thor, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk all took place in a short window in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. May’s mission to Bahrain occurred very near to them. In fact, it happens while the Hulk was being pursued by SHIELD agents, but Bruce Banner began making a life for himself in South America.
She Created Coulson’s Team
The series and the fans spend a lot of time referencing the original lineup of the series as “Coulson’s team.” While that’s true since he was the agent in charge, he wasn’t actually the person who assembled his team.
Instead, it was Melinda May who figured out just what kind of agents were needed in the event that Coulson’s possibly damaged brain needed repairing. She chose Fitz and Simmons for their scientific expertise, Grant Ward for his ability to “cross people off,” and herself because of her closeness to Coulson.
May Was A Level Seven Agent
Heading into the final season of the series, it’s not clear if SHIELD still maintains clearance level protocols like they did at the start. When the series began, however, May was a level seven agent.
That level made her the highest-ranked agent on Coulson’s team other than Coulson himself. Fitz and Simmons were both level five, while Ward was a level six who got a promotion to join the team. Only level seven agents and above were supposed to know that Coulson was still alive. She maintains that same rank in the comics.