Marvel’s small-screen heroes are about to reassemble – and no, we’re not referring to The Defenders.
Over at ABC, the Powers That Be have decided to hand out a 13-episode sixth season renewal for Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., bringing an end to weeks of intense speculation regarding the show’s future.
This comes just as the super series braces for its season finale, so it’s fair to say that S.H.I.E.L.D. was left on the bubble until the very last moment. In fact, executive producers Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen and Jeff Bell have admitted that they approached Friday’s finale as a series finale, so it’ll be interesting to see how this welcome renewal affects season 5’s last hurrah – if at all.
Word is ABC is yet to determine whether S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s sixth season will be its last, though as The Hollywood Reporter points out, this is a series with international appeal, what with the decision to integrate strong ties to Avengers: Infinity War.
Even still, the ratings really paint the picture; throughout its fifth season, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. averaged 3.6 million viewers and a 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic, so it’ll need to bounce back in time for the 13-episode season 6.
That’s down from the usual episode count of 22, which tells us that ABC and Marvel’s TV arm are hedging their bets when it comes to the future of the live-action scripted drama. Cast announcements for season 6 are expected at a later date, though Marvel enthusiasts can always look forward to the young Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) cropping up during the course of Captain Marvel, given the film’s 90s setting.
The season 5 finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Friday, May 18th at 9 p.m. ET.
