It’s been over five years since ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ aired its emotional series finale. However, the debate over whether it truly counts as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe refuses to die. For fans, the show represented the heart of Marvel storytelling on television.
It was complex, emotional, and deeply tied to the legacy of The Avengers. But for Marvel Studios, the series has often felt like an inconvenient outlier. It was always too connected to ignore, but too disconnected to officially embrace.
Clark Gregg Ends MCU Canon Debate Surrounding ‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’
During the ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ reunion panel at New York Comic Con, fans once again asked the question that just won’t go away: Is S.H.I.E.L.D. canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe or not? Clark Gregg, who has portrayed the beloved Agent Phil Coulson since 2008, didn’t hold back his feelings. His blunt response quickly made headlines. “There are some people who talk about canon. You can go f- yourself. We’re proud of what we did. We’re proud, really deeply proud, of the connection we have with people like you who come visit and hang with us.”
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Gregg’s outburst wasn’t about anger; it was about pride. Pride in a series that broke barriers for Marvel TV and introduced a generation of fans to characters and stories that rivaled anything seen in theaters. His history with the MCU gives his words even more weight. He was one of the earliest connective threads of the franchise, appearing in ‘Iron Man’, ‘Iron Man 2’, ‘Thor’, and ‘The Avengers’ before his character was tragically killed by Loki in 2012.
That death was pivotal. It was the emotional spark that united the original Avengers. However, ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ did what the movies never could. It brought Coulson back to life and gave him a chance to lead. Across seven seasons, the show expanded the MCU’s world in new directions, exploring Inhumans, the Kree, time travel, artificial intelligence, and alternate realities long before the multiverse became the MCU’s latest obsession.
Yet, despite these contributions, Marvel Studios has been reluctant to acknowledge ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’s canonical status. The introduction of Smart Hulk, the conflicting versions of the Darkhold, and the absence of any references to Coulson or Daisy Johnson in the films left fans wondering if the show had been erased from continuity. However, Gregg’s impassioned statement at NYCC made one thing clear: whether or not Marvel Studios chooses to “officially” recognize the show, the cast and fans already know its worth.
Chloe Bennet Thinks A “Weird Random Comeback” For S.H.I.E.L.D. Is Still Possible
While Clark Gregg delivered his defiant message, his co-star Chloe Bennet, who played Daisy Johnson, a.k.a. Quake, offered a more bittersweet perspective during a panel at Dragon Con 2025. Speaking candidly about the show’s legacy, Bennet admitted what many fans feared: “We are not considered canon. Even though we are. I think the show will make some weird, random comeback, like if it gets put on another streamer or something.
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“But as of now, no. And I agree, I should’ve been in Secret Invasion. It would’ve probably been better,” she added. There was an undeniable tinge of frustration behind her words. Bennet’s character, Daisy Johnson, had become a fan favorite over the course of ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ and her absence from Disney+ projects like ‘Secret Invasion’ felt like a missed opportunity to bridge the gap between Marvel Television and Marvel Studios.
What makes Bennet’s comments particularly interesting is that she doesn’t close the door entirely. Like many ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ fans, she still holds out hope that the team could return in some capacity. After all, the ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Jessica Jones‘ Netflix shows were once considered non-canon too, until Marvel reversed course and officially reintegrated them into the MCU. Could ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ follow that same path? Bennet seems to think so, or at least, she hopes so.
