‘Agents of SHIELD’ season 2 spoilers: First look at Hayley Atwell

Finally, the wait is over when it comes to finding out one thing: How will Hayley Atwell be integrated into the second season on Marvel’s “Agents of SHIELD“? This is no easy challenge, given the timeline of events here. “Agent Carter” is set, after all, so many decades in the past.

Well, judging from this first photo (via TV Guide) from the show’s first episode, you can take a little solace in knowing that the show is not planning to just introduce the character in the present with some old-age makeup on. Instead, you’ll see the agent in the past in a brief moment that ties back to the events in the present. Speaking to the site, show executive producer Jed Whedon had the following to say:

“Coulson is a big student of history and wants to return to those old ideals of Agent Carter’s time … He’s, like, ‘Let’s be the S.H.I.E.L.D. we were meant to be!’ He wants to do the job right this time.”

Thematically, we do get that the appearance does make a little bit of sense, but we also have to be real here when we say that there is another reason for this: Cross-promotion! ABC has their “Agent Carter” series coming up at some point in the future, so why not use the flagship to do a little cross-promotion? This is at least a reminder that “Agent Carter” is happening, and we’ll get to see moving forward if this scene actually mirrors the show much.

What do you think about this photo, and do you have any particular expectations for the new season? Share in the comments, and head over here to get some other details about the premiere now! Also, you can sign up in the event you want further TV updates via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: ABC