Amy Acker's hardly a stranger to the Whedonverse, so it's not particularly surprising that she would be appearing on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., however it is exciting to learn that she's playing a key role in Agent Coulson's story. We've heard him reference the cello player before. She's the woman in Coulson's past who believes he's dead. Acker will play her.
TV Guide says Acker has signed on to appear in at least one episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., playing the role of Audrey, the now-named cellist whom Coulson was in love with. She believes he died during the events of The Avengers, and from what Raina told Coulson, she was quite devastated over that. TV Guide notes that Audrey has no idea that Coulson is "guarding her from a distance as a super-powered threat from her past re-emerges."
Is this an opportunity for Coulson to have a bit of romance in his life? I'm going to guess that Audrey's arrival into this story will be brief, as I can't imagine Coulson would have much time for love and a relationship, given that he and his team are constantly on the move. But I do love this casting, especially if it leads to future appearances by Acker in the series, beyond this one.
Acker's S.H.I.E.L.D. character was first referenced in Marvel's The Avengers and Coulson has since spoken of her at least once during Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. So we knew there was unfinished business there, and it seems that business will be addressed, and somehow linked to super-powered threat. Because what isn't in this story? I just hope she's not a bad guy. Or maybe I don't. It's entirely possible there's more to Audrey than a cello.
As TV Guide notes, Acker and Clark Gregg were both in Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing. And Acker has worked with the Whedons before, having starred as the adorable and brainy Fred in Angel and appeared in Dollhouse. She also played a baddie in Alias and has appeared in Once Upon a Time and The Good Wife. Acker's one of numerous familiar faces to appear on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. We've already seen Bill Paxton, not to mention Acker's Angel co-star J. August Richards -- both of whom will appear in next week's episode -- and Patton Oswalt is also on board to guest star in an upcoming episode.
SHIELD has been on hiatus for the last couple of weeks, but it returns with a new episode next Tuesday (8:00 p.m. ET on ABC) called "End of the Beginning." Check out the latest promo for it below:
