Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 4) | |
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Promotional poster for the season's first "pod", Ghost Rider
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Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 15 |
Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Original release | September 20, 2016 | – present
Season chronology | |
The fourth season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division), revolves around the character of Phil Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and allies as they deal with various enhanced individuals following the signing of the Sokovia Accords. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The season is produced by ABC Studios, Marvel Television, and Mutant Enemy Productions, with Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jeffrey Bell serving as showrunners.
The season was ordered in March 2016, and production began that July. Alongside Clark Gregg, who reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, principal cast members Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Henry Simmons return from previous seasons while John Hannah was promoted to the principal cast after appearing in a recurring role in season three. Due to its broadcast schedule, the season was split into three "pods": Ghost Rider for the first eight episodes, featuring recurring guest star Gabriel Luna as the supernatural Robbie Reyes / Ghost Rider to coincide with the film Doctor Strange (which explores mysticism in the MCU); LMD, referring to the new Life Model Decoy program, for the next seven episodes, focusing on recurring guest star Mallory Jansen as the LMD Aida; and a third pod for the final seven episodes, which sees a "what if" virtual reality that includes the return of former series regular Brett Dalton as Grant Ward. The season also deals with the consequences of the events of the film Captain America: Civil War, and continues storylines established in the canceled series Agent Carter.