ABC is doubling down on its "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
The network plans to launch a spinoff series of the Marvel TV show that could premiere as soon as this fall, according to Entertainment Weekly. "S.H.I.E.L.D." executive producer Jeffrey Bell will develop the new series with "S.H.I.E.L.D." writer Paul Zbyszewski.
No upcoming episode of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." will serve as a backdoor pilot for the new series, but future plot lines will "lay the groundwork" for the potential spinoff. It's also unknown which characters from the original series will crossover.
ABC has not given "S.H.I.E.L.D." an official season three renewal and the spinoff series will have to compete against the other pilots in contention for the 2015-2016 season. Marvel's other ABC series, "Agent Carter," which aired an 8-episode first season this winter, has a 60 percent chance of renewal at this time, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Marvel has already started to expand its TV universe on Netflix with four new shows spotlighting characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. "Marvel's Daredevil" premieres tomorrow, April 10.
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
