Agent Carter: A Comprehensive Guide to the Marvel Characters in the Cast

Summary

Agent Carter was a Marvel TV series focusing on Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers' love interest, and her dual life as a secret agent in the 1940s.

The show aired for two seasons and included familiar characters from Captain America: The First Avenger, while also introducing new ones. The position of Agent Carter's canon status in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been subject to debate given the emergence of MCU-specific shows on Disney+.

Marvel Television introduced numerous new and returning characters in the live-action series Agent Carter. The show takes place after the events of the movie Captain America: The First Avenger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Agent Carter focuses on the character Peggy Carter, who is Steve Rogers' love interest and is played by Hayley Atwell. The series was developed by Marvel Television and ABC Studios, and it ran for two seasons from 2015 to 2016. Despite receiving positive feedback, the show was ultimately canceled. Agent Carter, like Agents of SHIELD, is considered to have a disputed canon status due to the introduction of MCU-specific shows on Disney+ by Marvel Studios.

In Agent Carter, Peggy Carter leads a double life as a secret agent for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR), which serves as a precursor to SHIELD, and as a single woman in 1940s America following Captain America's presumed death. The first season sees Carter collaborate with Howard Stark's butler to uncover the truth behind Stark's framing for selling dangerous weapons. In the second season, Carter moves from New York to Los Angeles and deals with threats associated with the Atomic Age. Throughout the show's two seasons, many actors from Captain America: The First Avenger reprise their roles, while several new characters are also introduced.

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Hayley Atwell as Margaret "Peggy" Carter

Peggy Carter made her debut as a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: The First Avenger. Her portrayal by Hayley Atwell garnered a tremendous amount of popularity, leading to her own series, Agent Carter. Initially assigned to mundane administrative tasks at the SSR's New York office, Carter also took on covert missions, gradually earning the respect of her colleagues who had underestimated her. Atwell reprised her role as Agent Carter multiple times in the MCU, appearing in projects such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, Avengers: Endgame, as well as in What If...? and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she portrays Captain Carter, Peggy's superhero alter ego.

James D'Arcy as Edwin Jarvis

While JARVIS was initially introduced as Tony Stark's AI in the movie Iron Man (2008), Agent Carter later revealed that JARVIS was actually inspired by Howard Stark's human butler, Edwin Jarvis. Jarvis not only supports Peggy Carter in her mission to clear Stark's name, as he is falsely accused of selling deadly weapons to the USSR, but also assists her in separate missions unrelated to Stark. James D'Arcy, known for his notable performances in Jupiter Ascending, Oppenheimer, Broadchurch, and Homeland, reprised his role as Edwin Jarvis in Avengers: Endgame. He appears during Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' journey to 1970, making it the first instance of a character from a Marvel Television series appearing in the MCU.

Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark

Dominic Cooper first appeared as Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger and later played a significant role in Agent Carter, where he served as the catalyst for several of Peggy's missions. In the MCU, John Slattery portrayed the older Howard Stark in films like Iron Man 2, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame. Cooper's portrayal of the character drew inspiration from Slattery's mannerisms as Tony Stark's father and the former CEO of Stark Industries. The Agent Carter One-Shot, which is considered the series finale, depicts Stark enlisting Peggy Carter's assistance in establishing SHIELD, tying their involvement with the organization to their respective roles in the MCU.

Chad Michael Murray as Jack Thompson

Enver Gjokaj as Daniel Sousa

Jack Thompson, a war veteran and the Chief of the New York SSR office in Agent Carter, was given a promotion for taking credit for much of Peggy Carter's work in defeating the Soviet-based terrorist group Leviathan. In season 2, Thompson becomes the Chief of the East Coast SSR office, but his egotistical, chauvinistic, and opportunistic tendencies persist. Chad Michael Murray, known for his previous roles in One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, and Dawson's Creek, portrays Thompson. Eventually, Thompson has a change of heart and supports Agent Carter in season 2, but he is shot by an unknown assailant while preparing to return to New York City.

Daniel Sousa, a war veteran and SSR agent, faces discrimination similar to Peggy Carter. His leg injury from World War II undermines him, but it doesn't stop him from investigating Howard Stark. In the midst of his investigation, Sousa uncovers Carter's betrayal, which later develops into a romantic relationship after they defeat Whitney Frost. Enver Gjokaj, who previously played a New York City police officer in The Avengers, reprised his role as Daniel Sousa in Agents of SHIELD season 7. It is revealed that Sousa's relationship with Carter did not last. However, he finds love with Chloe Bennet's Daisy Johnson and ultimately becomes part of present-day SHIELD.

Shea Whigham as Roger Dooley

Shea Whigham's portrayal of Roger Dooley in Agent Carter adds depth to the character, who serves as the Chief of the SSR's New York office. However, his story is tragically cut short in season 1, episode 7, when he falls victim to the Russian hypnotist Johann Fennhoff. Despite being a relatively unknown figure in Marvel Comics, Whigham's impressive body of work in projects like The Wolf of Wall Street, Joker, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Boardwalk Empire brings a sense of gravitas to Agent Carter. Even though Dooley's time in the series is brief, Whigham's portrayal leaves a lasting impact.

Agent Carter Supporting Cast, Characters & Cameos

In Agent Carter season 1, Lyndsy Fonseca takes on the role of Angie Martinelli, a waitress and aspiring actor who forms a close bond with Peggy Carter. Although Fonseca does not reprise her character in season 2, she does make an appearance in a dream sequence where she portrays Carter's conscience. Fonseca is recognized for her performances in popular shows like How I Met Your Mother and Desperate Housewives.

Kyle Bornheimer plays the role of Ray Krzeminski, an SSR agent who frequently clashes with Peggy Carter. Krzeminski underestimates and undermines Carter, ultimately leading to his death by the hands of Dottie Underwood, a Russian sleeper agent. Bornheimer is well-known for his performances in popular sitcoms such as Worst Week, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Playing House.

Lesley Boone portrays the character Rose Roberts, an SSR switchboard operator in Agent Carter season 1. In season 2, Roberts is given a more significant role as she is allowed to join the field. Boone's previous roles in Babes and Ed make her the perfect lighthearted addition to the cast of Agent Carter.

Meagen Fay portrays Miriam Fry, the strict owner of The Griffith Hotel for Women, where Peggy Carter resides during the first season of Agent Carter. Although she did not return for the second season, Meagen Fay is recognized for her notable performances in projects such as Malcolm in the Middle, Shrink, and Loot.

Bridget Regan plays the character of Dorothy "Dottie" Underwood, who is introduced in the third episode of the first season of Agent Carter as Peggy Carter's new neighbor. Later on, Dottie reveals herself to be a Russian sleeper agent and in season 2, she assists Carter and Sousa in bringing down Whitney Frost. Bridget Regan is well-known for her roles in Legend of the Seeker, Jane the Virgin, and John Wick.

Ralph Brown portrays Johann Fennhoff, a Russian hypnotist masquerading as Dr. Ivchenko to exact revenge on Howard Stark. At the end of Agent Carter season 1, Fennhoff is incarcerated alongside Arnim Zola. Ralph Brown is recognized for his work in Alien 3, Withnail and I, and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Wynn Everett plays the role of Whitney Frost, the main antagonist in Agent Carter season 2. Frost is an actress and scientific prodigy who gains the ability to absorb any living thing she touches after absorbing Zero Matter. Peggy Carter and Daniel Sousa ultimately defeat and imprison her. Wynn Everett is notable for her appearances in Supernatural, House of Lies, and The Newsroom.

Reggie Austin portrays the character of Jason Wilkes in Agent Carter season 2. Wilkes is employed by Isodyne, the company responsible for the discovery of Zero Matter. He plays a pivotal role in informing Carter about this groundbreaking finding. However, after being exposed to Zero Matter, Wilkes undergoes a transformation, becoming both invisible and intangible. Notably, Reggie Austin has garnered recognition for his performances in Desperate Housewives and Notes from the Underbelly.

Currie Graham brings Calvin Chadwick to life, who is the husband of Frost and the owner of Isodyne Energy. Additionally, Chadwick is secretly affiliated with the Council of Nine, an organization derived from Marvel Comics' Secret Empire storyline. Tragically, Chadwick meets his demise at the hands of his Zero Matter-corrupted wife. Currie Graham is renowned for his recurring roles in Raising the Bar, Murder in the First, and The Rookie.

Lotte Verbeek portrays Ana Jarvis, the spirited wife of Edwin Jarvis in Agent Carter season 2. Ana quickly befriends Peggy Carter, but is unfortunately injured by Frost, resulting in her inability to bear children. Lotte Verbeek is widely recognized for her roles in The Borgias, Outlander, and The Blacklist.

Matt Braunger takes on the role of Aloysius Samberly, an SSR technician who joins Carter and Sousa in infiltrating Roxxon Oil and defeating Frost. Comedian Matt Braunger is highly regarded for his impersonations and has made guest appearances in Up All Night, Disjointed, and Fuller House.

Vernon Masters, played by Kurtwood Smith, serves as Thompson's mentor in the War Department and later becomes a subordinate to the Council of Nine in Agent Carter season 2. Kurtwood Smith is renowned for his performances in RoboCop, Rambo III, Deep Impact, and Girl, Interrupted.

Joseph Manfredi, portrayed by Ken Marino, is the leader of the Maggia crime syndicate in Los Angeles and a former associate of Howard Stark and Whitney Frost. He ultimately aids in the downfall of Frost after she succumbs to corruption caused by the Zero Matter. Known for his comedic roles in Dawson's Creek, Party Down, Fresh Off the Boat, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Ken Marino brings his talent to the character of Joseph Manfredi.

Ray Wise stars as Hugh Jones, the President of Roxxon Oil and a member of the Council of Nine, in Agent Carter. Wise is widely recognized for his performances in popular shows and movies such as Twin Peaks, Swamp Thing, RoboCop, 24, and X-Men: First Class.

Costa Ronin portrays a younger version of Anton Vanko, a former associate of Howard Stark's, in Agent Carter. Ronin is renowned for his compelling roles in acclaimed series like The Americans, Homeland, and Gotham.

Toby Jones portrayed the character of Arnim Zola, a scientist belonging to HYDRA, in the movie Captain America: The First Avenger. He also made a brief appearance as an SSR prisoner in the TV show Agent Carter. Jones, an English actor, has built an impressive career in both film and television. He has been recognized for his remarkable performances in movies like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Empire of Light, and popular franchises such as Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Hunger Games.

Neal McDonough played the role of Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan in Captain America: The First Avenger, and he reprised this character in Agent Carter. McDonough, in addition to being a part of the Howling Commandos in Captain America, is well-known for his roles in Band of Brothers, Yellowstone, and as Damien Darhk in The CW's Arrowverse.

Chris Evans portrays the character of Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Chris Evans does not make a physical appearance in Agent Carter, the show utilizes footage from Captain America: The First Avenger to showcase Steve Rogers. This serves to emphasize Peggy Carter's ongoing sorrow and Howard Stark's bond with the patriotic hero.