15 Greatest Performances In Marvel Cinematic Universe TV Shows
5. Hayley Atwell - Peggy Carter (Agent Carter)
Like Coulson, Peggy Carter is another character to have bridged the gap between the movies and the TV shows. Having started off with the main female role in Captain America: The First Avenger, Hayley Atwell then went on to lead Agent Carter - an eight episode series designed to fill the time Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was on its mid-season break.
Not only did Agent Carter fill that time, but it also surpassed S.H.I.E.L.D. in terms of quality. A fantastic blend of spy drama, period setting, and the MCU, it was a fun and hugely enjoyable show, and those first eight episodes flew by.
A large reason for that was Atwell herself. On familiar ground as Carter, she continued to develop an already winning performance. It may be a period setting, but Atwell's performance is timeless. She's funny, smart, and confident, and equally adept at playing the quieter in-office official as she is kicking a load of ass out in the field.
She took a character everyone already liked, and made them love her by really expanding her performance and adding real depth to Peggy Carter. It's something of a travesty that, as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. rolls on, Agent Carter was scrapped after just two seasons. We deserve - nay, need - more of Atwell as Agent Carter.