Ming-Na Wen's son asked her a question the other day while they were watching a Marvel movie together, a question that many fans of Agent Melinda May and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." have been asking for more than a year: "Mom, when are you going to be in one of these?"
Wen still doesn't know when Marvel will call her up to serve in the cinematic universe, but she's keeping her fingers crossed. She also has set her expectations low when it comes to what part she'd play.
"Can I sneak on and help out? Throw a little kick or maybe serve some coffee to everybody. What can I do to help out here?" she tells Headlines & Global News in an exclusive interview.
Her character has already worked with big screen characters Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and former director Nick Fury (Samuel. L. Jackson). "Maria Hill and I, we're buddies. We're pals. Call up [Nick] Fury. Fury and I are tight," Wen says with a laugh.
Both would probably encourage Agent May to stick with Director Phil Coulson and the S.H.I.E.L.D team as they face their greatest challenges yet. The team bonds will start to fray in the wake of Agent Tripp's death and over the question of what to do with a transformed Skye, who has a new set of unknown powers.
"In season one, we were such a tight-knit group. We were the band of six, and it's insane how much [the show has] kind of fragmented the group as well as bringing in new members like Mockingbird and Hunter and Mac," Wen says.
Andrew's reappearance will expose some of May's past that she has kept well hidden over the first season and a half. Wen teases that a few of the upcoming episodes will "bring up a lot of history for May." Coulson will also have an opinion on the ex of his most trusted confidant coming back into her life.
"We have this team of 'Philinda' fans and I love the adult intrigue of all these relationships," says Wen. "They are so complicated and the element of where friendship starts and ends. Emotions come into play and sense of duty. I love those elements between Coulson and me, and how Blair's character is going to affect that relationship, because all three of them share history together."
In addition to Underwood's casting, "S.H.I.E.L.D." recruited the legendary Edward James Olmos for the mysterious role of Robert Gonzalez, and Wen promises that the "Battlestar Galactica" vet will not disappoint.
"When you invite Edward James Olmos to be a guest star on your show, you can anticipate that his part is going to blow you away. You don't hand him a little walk-on part, that's for sure. The audience will be pleasantly surprised at what his character arc is going to be," she teases. "For a geek girl like me, I love my job because I get to meet these actors that I've admired over the years. Edward is such a dear human being. To have him on set, he's so happy, just so lovely to see his enthusiasm."
I just love my job! Working with my heroes! Welcome to #AgentsofSHIELD, @edwardjolmos! Or is it Admiral? #BSG pic.twitter.com/mum3L74jIa
— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) January 14, 2015
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." monopolizes much of Wen's life these days, whether it's shooting the show or promoting it at numerous conventions. However, she does find time to converse with her fans over Twitter and their interactions have inspired her to start writing a lifestyle book to share her secrets on how she continues to look and feel incredible at age 51.
"I find from my fans that they're so intrigued and really want to find out how I'm able to be healthy, stay so young-looking. They're very complimentary. I'm going to give some of my secrets away," Wen says.
As much as she shares with them, her fans gladly return the favor. On the day she spoke with us, Wen had reached out on Twitter to ask for suggestions on how to create Asian dishes with low to no sodium and no soy sauce that she could make for a sick friend. Her fans didn't disappoint.
"I think what's so great about getting that fan base is that not only are you having people follow you that either love your work or are just a fan, but it's also people who we share things in common, whether it's knitting, cooking. I'm such a foodie, and it's great. And moms, [there's] always subject matter about that," the mother of two says. "I love it. It's an incredible support system really."
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." returns tonight, Tuesday, March 3 at 9 p.m. on ABC.
