Marvel on the Small Screen|Summer Binge Series

As we enter the summer months, the time where TV tends to lag at the end of the traditional network season, with the occasional test pilot or burst of cable and streaming releases to break things up. But also the time where you just might find yourself with a little more time to binge-watch something you missed the first time around. Welcome to the Summer Binge Series, where we break down what might be worth catching up on when it gets too hot to stay outside.

Pretty much every Marvel fan out there has seen Avengers Endgame by now. At least once. And most of you probably watched the 21 preceding movies, and at least a few of the connected television series. But there’s a chance you haven’t seen them all, so we’ve put together a summary of the television and streaming series connected to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).

For the purpose of clarification, we’ve focused on live-action series, not animated, and those specifically listed as part of the MCU—the umbrella of current films overlapping the timelines of the Avengers and related movies. So, while there are other Marvel-owned series out there, like Legion and The Gifted, we’re not digging into the X-Men’s branches today.

Note: Despite attempts to stay largely spoiler-free for Avengers: Endgame, there may be a few references to themes in the movie in the below synopsis.

*Percentages next to titles are the average score, either combined or critic/audience the show carries on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

Streaming Recent Marvel TV Shows

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(94%)

ABC, Season 6 begins May 10 on ABC

The first Marvel series to hit the small screen, and the longest running, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is one of the most overall connected to the MCU films. It focuses on Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg, reprising his role from the Marvel films) and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a peacekeeping espionage agency dealing with international threats, largely of the natural, paranormal, and superhuman variety. It reflects changes in the larger film storylines including the attack on New York and the rise of Hydra, although in its most recent season was set pre-Infinity War, so it is so far removed from the most recent arc. The links to the films range from offhand comments to major story arcs, but whether or not you’re up on the films, the series is an action-packed superhero spy thriller, led by Coulson, Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), and hacker Daisy “Skye” Johnson (Chloe Bennet), as well as their team of S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists and super-powered heroes.

Current Season: Hulu, ABC

Availability: Netflix, for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube

Agent Carter(86%)

ABC, 2 seasons, ended

Arguably as—or more—connected to the films in many ways, from Peggy Carter’s role in Captain America (and Cap’s heart) to the overlapping Howard Stark storylines, Agent Carter was a delightful espionage series focused on the titular Agent Peggy Carter. Set in the 1940s following the war, and the loss of Steve Rogers, it features Hayley Atwell as Peggy, teaming up with Stark’s butler Jarvis (James D’Arcy) and fellow SSR agents Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray) and Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj) for a variety of spy adventures full of smart, strong, female-led action. Unfortunately, at the time of airing, Agent Carter was rather neglected and overshadowed by the more testosterone-driven branches of the franchise. However, Peggy’s continual presence across several films—including Ant-Man, not to mention Endgame—have kept her on the radar, and don’t be surprised if more folks finally start seeking her out on Hulu.

Availability: Hulu, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu

Agent Carter trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2VaIst0lU

Daredevil(92%)

Netflix, 3 seasons, ended

Daredevil marked the first of the Marvel shows created for Netflix, and the first leading up to the crossover series The Defenders, all of which share continuity with the MCU films. The series stars Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire) as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer-by-day who becomes the masked vigilante Daredevil, fighting crime in his NYC Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, thanks to his heightened senses. The series, much darker and grittier than some of its Marvel siblings, was well-liked among many fans, and while Netflix canceled it after season 3, there are rumors it could find a new life on Hulu or Disney+ down the line (although there is a two-year freeze on anything that Netflix previously owned).