It’s only four words from ABC President Pat Lee, but Lee’s comment about the new Marvel-based S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series currently under development, to the effect that "It’s very Joss Whedon," can only serve to warm the cockles of fan boys’ hearts everywhere. Lee went on to explain to TV Line: "We’re optimistic, because Joss is a genius and we love the idea and we love what we have seen.  But it’s early days, and it’s a long way to go between now and a successful series. But we are very excited about it."

 

Whedon explained the basic concept behind the series as "humans in a superhero world and how they deal with that and how it makes them vulnerable."  The pilot episode, which Whedon is directing (and writing with his brother Jed and Maurissa Tancharoen) is currently in the midst of casting.  The latest addition to the cast is relative newcomer Brett Dalton (Army Wives, Blue Bloods), who will play Agent Grant, a rising star in the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, who is very effective as an operative but lacks "people skills."  Dalton joins already announced cast members Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), Ming-Na, Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker (see "Ming-Na Cast in 'S.H.I.E.L.D.'" and "Elizabeth Henstridge Joins 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' Cast").