Netflix Boss on Why They Passed on ‘Agent Carter’

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Many questions regarding Agent Carter’s unfortunate final season remain on the table. At the top of the list is, of course, the mysterious redacted file allegedly detailing Peggy’s war crimes. However, the next big mystery is why Netflix, home to five other Marvel series, didn’t rescue the show. Thanks to the streaming service’s Chief Content Officer Todd Sarandos, that mystery’s been solved. By the sound of things, Netflix’s search for new and original content is one reason.

“We’re looking for truly original brands to own,” Sarandos told EW, “and in that Marvel space we already have [original comic book shows] – so that was mostly why.”

So the Defenders and their respective shows are at fault. Noted. Jokes aside, it truly is unfortunate, but completely understandable. Although, there are other “complexities” that made the seemingly perfect match an impossible feat.

“They also have some output deal complexities. So when you pick it up, being able to pick it up globally is difficult even after it’s canceled. Some of those output partners still had it on the air, so they would argue its covered by their output [deals]. Unfortunately, it was a business decision more than a creative one.”

That’s business for you, forever getting in the way of great things. At least Agent Carter had a nice run; it’s a shame the show didn’t get another chance to shine, but it was good while it lasted. That in mind, it still hurts to know Season 2’s cliff hangers may never be resolved, along with her past never being fully explored. This also means we’ll never get that musical. Sadness.

One spot of hope is in knowing that the S.H.I.E.L.D founder’s niece, Sharon Carter, will continue to make a splash in the MCU. She seems to have inherited much of her great aunt’s badassery, and surely more of that will be put on full display in films to come.

Agent Carter’s Hayley Atwell can next be seen leading another ABC series, Conviction, later this year.

Image: Marvel/ABC