Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Vet Cobie Smulders' New Comic Book Show Is Moving Forward

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cobie Smulders Maria Hill ABC
(Image credit: Kelsey McNeal / ABC)

Cobie Smulders has been busy since How I Met Your Mother ended its run back in 2014. She starred in the now-cancelled Netflix series, Friends from College, and took her place in the MCU as Maria Hill. The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel movies alum has now landed a new TV show. Read on for what you can expect coming from Cobie Smulders on the small screen.

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. vet will topline the television adaptation of writer Greg Rucka and illustrators Matthew Southworth and Justin Greenwood’s graphic novel series, Stumptown. ABC has given its second series order of the 2019-2020 season to the as-yet-to-be-titled television series, per Deadline. What is it about? Here is what you need to know.

Cobie Smulders will star in the lead role of army veteran-turned-private investigator, Dex Parios. Dex is described as “strong, assertive, and sharp-witted.” Sounds good so far! Having seen Smulders play a standout role in the Jack Reacher sequel, I think she is more than up to the task.

Now that we have Dex’s personality addressed, let’s move onto the other known aspects of her character. Dex’s love life is said to be “complicated.” Does that mean she is in an on-again-off-again relationship? Or is she in the middle of a love triangle? Stay tuned.

Dex has a gambling debt to contend with and a brother she needs to take care of in Portland, Oregon. So, no shortage of drama to drive a compelling story. Dex’s style sounds a bit reminiscent of another comic character.

That’s because her “unapologetic” way of getting things done does not make her an ally of the police. She is not described as a vigilante though, so that is a plus. Her take on things does put her in the path of “hardcore criminals.” Sounds like they may get more than they bargained for going opposite Dex.

The series marks Cobie Smulders’ first full-time return to network television following How I Met Your Mother. For nine years, nine seasons, and 208 episodes, Smulders starred as Robin Scherbatsky on the CBS sitcom. The show ended five years ago in 2014.

Now she is heading back to another network with a totally different show. Cobie Smulders has a history with ABC. She reprised her role as Maria Hill for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for a time. As for the cast of her new action series, here's who will join her in front of the camera.

Cobie Smulders will star opposite Being Mary Jane’s Michael Ealy. He will take on the role of Detective Miles Hoffman. Also starring in the police realm will be The Practice’s Camryn Manheim. She will play Lieutenant Cosgrove.

Cole Sibus plays Ansel Parios. Outlander’s Tantoo Cardinal stars as Sue Lynn Blackbird. Actor Adrian Martinez of The Blacklist spinoff The Blacklist: Redemption rounds out that cast as Tookie.

This sounds like an intriguing premise and an excellent vehicle for Cobie Smulders. As I mentioned earlier, she really impressed in the Jack Reacher sequel and has always been a scene stealer in the MCU as Maria Hill. It is time that she stepped front and center as the star of her own drama.

The show also sounds edgy. It will be interesting for viewers to see how network television handles it. Jason Richman created the series and will executive produce it, alongside Ruben Fleischer and David Bernard. There is no word on when Cobie Smulders’ new series will premiere on ABC, so stay tuned.

Britt Lawrence

Like a contented Hallmark movie character, Britt happily lives in the same city she grew up in. Along with movies and television, she is passionate about competitive figure skating. She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began.