Before Moon Knight or WandaVision, even before Disney+, there was Marvel Television. Across different platforms on both streaming and cable, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was expanded and enhanced – though until recently the likes of Daredevil or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have been largely disregarded.
However, as of March 16th, several shows have been reincorporated and are now streaming on Disney+. While there are still a few tv shows waiting for the same treatment, fans have been eagerly theorizing how iconic heroes and villains from Marvel Television history will reappear in future projects.
Claire Temple
Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye did the unexpected by bringing back Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, allowing old characters to cross over from the old subsidiary of Marvel TV Studios into the limelight. Daredevil introduced audiences to the likes of Electra, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson, to name a few. One such character that stands a good chance at returning is Claire Temple.
Played by Rosario Dawson, she is modeled off Night Nurse and serves as a throughline in the Marvel Knights TV shows, linking the Defenders together. Although Dawson is already busy on Disney+ with Ahsoka, Claire Temple could make a welcome reappearance.
Nico Minoru
Of the shows still remaining to be officially acknowledged as part of the MCU is Hulu’s Runaways, following the titular group of teenage heroes as they try to thwart their parents’ misguided and diabolical plans. Of course, it would be great to see all the Runaways again in some capacity, but Lyrica Okano as Nico Minoru probably has the best chance on her own.
The young sorceress is in possession of the Staff of One and has a connection to important magical elements in the MCU, such as the Dark Dimension and the Darkhold. Since Wanda was seen using Darkhold – a mysterious tome full of evil magic – at the end of WandaVision, it is possible that Nico or other characters connected to it could pop up again, including season 3 villain Morgan le Fey.
Leo Fitz & Jemma Simmons
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a shaky history in the MCU ever since its inception. It started off very dependent on the expanding universe, but it eventually went off the rails. Following the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the show’s inclusion of Inhumans, the established connection deteriorated to the point that it is still unclear whether this show is even canon.
Despite the confusion, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. entertained audiences for seven years in large part to its talented and interesting characters like Agents Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons. The dynamic duo of geniuses colloquially called Fitzsimmons and their endearing love story is at the heart of the show. They would best fit in – especially with how the series finale set up their future – in Secret Invasion.
Luke Cage
As one of the most iconic street-level characters from Marvel Comics, it came as no surprise when it was announced that Luke Cage would helm his own TV series on Netflix. Played by Mike Colter, the character actually debuted in Jessica Jones and he of course played an integral role in the action of the Marvel Knight series.
Luke Cage ended with him taking over from Mariah Dillard aka Black Mariah (Alfre Woodard) as the main crime boss of Harlem, in a truly unforeseen twist. Although the timing could be complicated, this could bring him into conflict with Kingpin – and even Daredevil, Spider-Man, or She-Hulk – as a way of reincorporation.
Ghost Rider
As a way to connect it to the greater MCU with the release of Doctor Strange in 2016, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. began to incorporate more mystical elements such as introducing Gabriel Luna as Robby Reyes as Ghost Rider. Although the proposed series centering on Ghost Rider on Hulu failed to come to fruition, there is still a chance the character can return – whether it’s the Reyes incarnation or an entirely new medium for the Spirit of Vengeance.
With Moon Knight, Blade, and Werewolf-by-Night all joining the MCU, Ghost Rider would make the next logical choice. As such there are numerous planned projects where this could happen such as the untitled Halloween special – perhaps then the same treatment could be given to Daimon and Ana from Hulu’s Helstrom.
Misty Knight
Joining Mike Colter as a heroic lead in Luke Cage and The Defenders is Simone Missick as Misty Knight, an NYPD detective with a peculiar knack for visualizing crime scenes. In The Defenders she lost an arm while fighting against the Hand, saving Claire Temple, and she then gains her iconic and signature bionic arm.
Luke Cage ended with her aspirations in flux as she questions her place in the NYPD, possibly teasing up a team with another fan-favorite character, Colleen Wing, as the Daughters of the Dragons. The MCU could draw on this or her connection to other characters like Tony Stark or Valkyrie to reincorporate her.
Colleen Wing
Unfortunately, Iron Fist was maligned by fans and critics alike due in large part to the lackluster action sequences, despite it being a kung-fu series. However, many do agree that a shining light in the series is Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, the sword-wielding dojo master who fights the Hand and Davos alongside Danny Rand.
Marvel fans have long critiqued Rand as a white savior, but Colleen could actually solve this issue in the MCU – she actually acquires the Iron Fist’s powers, so she could further adopt the title in the future. Henwick was actually offered the role of Xialing in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, but she turned it down in hope of Wing’s return, and this is looking more and more possible.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones has a storied history in Marvel history despite only being introduced in 2001 – though she was retroactively acknowledged as an unnamed classmate of Peter Parkers from a 1962 comic. Of course, Krysten Ritter took on the role for Jessica Jones and The Defenders, which covered several important aspects of her stories, such as her origin and her relationship with Luke Cage.
There are numerous options in which to reintroduce Ritter as Jessica Jones in the MCU including in joining Tatianna Maslany as Jennifer. Walters in Disney+’s upcoming She-Hulk series. Her particular humor and problem-solving approach would certainly make the show intriguing in comparison to She-Hulk. Of course, fans are really hoping for a season 4 of Jessica Jones even more.
Punisher
It became prevalent news when Disney announced that the Marvel Knight TV series would move from Netflix to Disney+ that some parents were unhappy with the violence and mature stories would be available for children. Nevertheless, the majority of MCU viewers are excited to see these characters finally get the acknowledgment and appreciation they deserve. This rings especially true for Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.
He was initially introduced as an antagonist in Season 2 of Daredevil, eventually to star in his own series, The Punisher. While it is still unclear how he could be incorporated into the many upcoming projects, viewers are pleased to know that Bernthal’s stellar performance will remain in the MCU.
Daisy Johnson
One of the most important details that lead to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s lasting success and viewership is Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, the crux of the series’ story. At the top of the show, she was actually going by Skye since she wasn’t unaware of her own backstory – which led to many theories claiming she could be other iconic comic heroes like Jessica Drew or Abigail Brand.
She eventually adopts her true name, and the codename Quake to operate as a crucial member of S.H.I.E.L.D. like in the comics. The series ends with her leading a team into space – perfectly setting up a reappearance in Secret Invasion or the developing cosmic storylines in Phase Four.