SGU fans, rejoice! Actress Ming-Na has just been cast in the biggest upcoming new genre show.
The actress has been cast in the pilot episode of S.H.I.E.L.D., a television series set in the world of Marvel’s The Avengers, according to Deadline. ABC greenlit the pilot after the feature film, written and directed by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly) became the biggest hit of the summer.
Ming-Na (who is reportedly returning to her full name, Ming-Na Wen) played Camille Wray on Stargate Universe. The ER veteran also has Eureka, Street Fighter, and lots of animated voice work on her list of sci-fi and fantasy credits.
In the new series she will play Agent Melinda May, described as “an ace pilot, a weapons expert and a soldier” who is soulful and slightly damaged by her experiences in combat. In casting documents she was originally named Althea Rice, a.k.a. “The Cavalry.”
Whedon is co-writing and directing the pilot, and will executive produce if the pilot goes to series. While S.H.I.E.L.D. will focus on some of the lower-profile characters in the Earth defense agency — don’t expect Iron-Man, Hulk, Captain America, or Thor as regulars — producers announced recently that Clark Gregg will reprise his role as Agent Phil Coulson in the series.
Still to be cast are Agents Grant Ward, a quiet guy with a bit of a temper; Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz, who are like siblings and are (respectively) science and tech wizards; and Skye, a smart and confident woman who can gain the upper hand by using her wit and charm.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is expected to come with a built in audience and, thanks to Whedon, some series genre cred behind the camera. Also co-writing the pilot, and ready to executive produce a series, are long-time collaborators Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. S.H.I.E.L.D. is produced by Marvel TV and ABC TV Studios.
Follow Ming-Na on Twitter @MingNa
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I was just coming to Gateworld to report the good news! YEAH! So glad Ming-Na Wen is going to be back on TV.
Was interested in the show, but now I AM watching it :D
"In casting documents she was originally named Althea Rice, a.k.a. “The Cavalry.”"
I think the original casting documents referred to her as "The Calvary", not "The Cavalry".
Most people have taken it to be a typo (assuming that it should have been Cavalry), but I wouldn't be so sure about it being a typo, this is Whedon we're talking about after all. Calvary being a biblical reference to the place that Jesus was crucified, it could be a more interesting nickname/backstoey than the cavalry...
Awesome. She's such a great actress. She's a convincing bad guy (gal).
From my experience Joss Whedon should stick to movies. His TV shows usually suck. Firefly was OK but I always thought it was overrated. Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse all sucked.