Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Season 2: Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill to Return

Yesterday saw Marvel playing cryptic with the announcement that 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' would feature 'Xena' veteran Lucy Lawless in a mysterious season 2 role, but its latest addition requires far less Level 7 clearance. Before she enters the 'Age of Ultron,' Cobie Smulders will reprise the role of Agent Maria Hill in 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' season 2!

E! confirms that Smulders will return as Maria Hill in season 2, though perhaps even more vaguely than news of Lucy Lawless, the article offers no details as to when or where we'll find Maria Hill popping up again. "We have plans to bring her in and see her," said executive producer Jed Whedon. Added fellow showrunner Maurissa Tancharoen, "We love Cobie, we love the character, she's so great." Helpful.

When last we saw the character, Hill assisted Coulson in getting his team out from under the persistent Col. Glenn Talbot, before returning to her new position with Stark Industries. Maria isn't seen in any of the initial 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' photos, which themselves would likely take place sometime late in 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' season 2, but we expect to find the character resurfacing under Tony Stark at some point all the same.

We'll learn more from Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' season 2 from Comic-Con 2014, But what do you think? What might bring Maria Hill back to Coulson's team when the ABC drama premieres its second go this fall?