Disney Mandated ABC to Keep 'Agents of SHIELD' Alive
Previously, news emerged that the ABC network originally did not have plans of renewing "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." after season 4. However, new reports say that Disney ordered the network to keep the series alive.
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." was the first Marvel spinoff series that successfully caught the interest of fans when it debuted in 2013. Despite its success, ABC reportedly felt that it would be best to end the show after season 4, which saw the entrance of fan-favorite Marvel character Ghost Rider, played by Gabriel Luna, to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The fourth installment also featured the technology known as Life Model Decoys and the Framework, in which S.H.I.E.L.D. was beaten by Hydra.
Although season 4 received favorable reviews from both fans and critics, its ratings have significantly declined since its previous runs. This is reportedly one of the reasons ABC initially decided to axe the series after the last installment.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Despite ABC's decision, the network reportedly had to change its course after Disney mandated the renewal of the Marvel spinoff. A report from Variety that emerged recently said "the mandate came down from Disney for ABC to renew its other Marvel drama, 'Agents of SHIELD,' despite the desire by some at the network to end the series after four seasons."
While the report did not specify Disney's reasons for ordering the renewal of the show, it could be because the studio still has confidence in the showrunners of the series. After all, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is considered the most successful of the Marvel spinoffs, with one of the strongest fanbases. Also, its success is a far cry from other Netflix series that abruptly got axed even when it ended with a cliffhanger like "Agent Carter."
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is set to return for its fifth season after "Inhumans" ends its run on ABC. When it returns, it will air Fridays instead of Tuesdays, 9 p.m. EST.
