After deviously manipulating her way to the heights of power throughout the first two series of Starz’s sexy, bloody smash Spartacus, geek goddess Lucy Lawless will be next endearing herself to comic-book aficionados with a recurring role in the upcoming second season of ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Lawless, previously the star of the beloved Xena: Warrior Princess, will be appearing for an unknown number of episodes and in an unknown capacity, so let the guessing games begin. And we shouldn’t be holding our breath for details – Marvel is notably stingy about those sorts of scoops (right, Andy Serkis?). However, the ABC series does have a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, so if details are to emerge about Lawless’s role, that seems as good a time as any.
Personally, I’d love to see Lawless bring a classic Marvel character to life, instead of portraying someone created especially for the show. The actress has proven time and time again that she’s perfectly capable of playing physically adept, cunning characters, so the sky’s really the limit for who they could cast her as. My picks? It would be awesome to see Lawless take on the role of Viper/Madame Hydra, who has clashed with SHIELD on multiple occasions. I could also the actress doing great things with the part of Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine or even a visitor from Asgard.
But just as long as she’s not credited as “SHIELD Agent #3,” I’ll be content. And when you’ve got an actress as kick-ass as Lawless, something’s tells me that isn’t going to be an issue.
The actress’s casting is another great reason for you to start watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Though the series got off to a very uneven, somewhat underwhelming start, the pivotal events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier forced the show’s writers to think on their feet and utterly transform Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. As it turned out, that change was for the better, and the series was a great watch for its final episodes. I’m looking forward to seeing it return to ABC on September 23rd – especially with Lawless now on board.