Years before the announcement of the new Marvel Cinematic Universe series such as WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. released on ABC as the studio’s first TV show. Airing on September 24, 2013, it was instantly liked among Marvel fans. The expansion of the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization following the events of 2012’s The Avengers was a huge draw as audiences tuned in to see Agent Coulson, Melinda May, Daisy Johnson and the rest of the cast fight against Hydra.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ran for a total of seven seasons before coming to a close this past August. With waning ratings, expensive licensing and the rise of new MCU properties, the cancelation didn’t come as much of a surprise.
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. started off strong with good viewership and high ratings, but mixed reviews. After Season 1, reviews improved, but ratings dropped. Season by season, ratings, viewership and enthusiasm for the show continued to decline. Licensing fees also became an issue, and the series reduced them so as to ensure its Season 5 and 6 renewal.
Despite the series’ aforementioned hardships, the creators stated the official reason for why Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. came to a close was so they could end it on their terms. According to Marvel Television chief Jeph Loeb, the series was supposed to end on Season 5. The finale for that season is even titled “The End.” However, ABC asked if they could do a Season 6, and later asked for a Season 7.
In an interview with Deadline, Loeb said this of the decision to proceed with Season 7:
“We all came to the conclusion that getting another season is so flattering, so lovely, so amazing, but how about if we go back and say, yes, but this is it.”
He elaborated, saying that they accepted the seventh season with the intent that it would be the final one. They wanted to give viewers the most satisfying ending possible and tie up any loose ends without dragging it on longer than need be.
Marvel TV’s decision to end Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with Season 7 was probably for the best. As previously stated, ratings and reviews were mixed. Not only that, but with Disney’s new MCU television properties on the horizon, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. would have had some tough competition.
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