The Marvel Cinematic Universe is packed with a score of characters who more than deserve their own Disney Plus show.
The MCU franchise has been known for a lot of great supporting characters. Some are drawn from the comics, while others are more original, but they all shine nicely, adding to the narrative in ways that are often unexpected. Some are able to rise up thanks to the actors, while others sadly don’t get the attention they should. Thankfully, with Disney Plus expanding the horizons of the shared universe with so many new TV shows over the past few years, there are more opportunities for folks to rise up and get some of that long-overdue spotlight.
It’s tricky to decide which ones would thrive in that spotlight, however, as some characters really are better when they aren't the main focus. We loved Luis in the Ant-Man movies, but putting him and his crew as stars of a show may be a bit too much. However, there are so many characters so perfect for a TV series, it’d be fantastic to see it happen.
With that in mind, here are some MCU characters who could easily carry a Disney Plus show and look great doing it!
Sif & Valkyrie
Jamie Alexander’s Sif was a bit short-changed in the Thor movies. This warrior was a standout in the first two films but she was absent from Ragnarok and treated as a joke in Love & Thunder. That’s mostly due to Alexander being busy with the TV show Blindspot, but it doesn't change how poorly she was used in the fourth film. A TV series would be a great way to fix that, with Sif (maybe with that arm restored) going on her own adventures and proving herself a capable fighter.
Even better would be teaming her up with Valkyrie as Tessa Thompson was a vibrant presence as the sardonic fighter turned King of New Asgard. Her and Sif as a female-powered team exploring the Nine Realms would be the right mix for a terrific “road trip” adventure. Not to mention the action sequences would be great and thus right up the alley of fantasy fans.
Darcy Lewis
One of the best original MCU characters, Jane Foster’s former assistant - who first appeared in the first two Thor movies - has blossomed into a great star in her own right. That’s thanks to Kat Dennings’ performance with her quirky sense of humor, nice style and commitment to the character, which has allowed her to shine wonderfully. After a bit of a Marvel hiatus, she got a good showcase in WandaVision and popped up for a cameo in Thor: Love & Thunder but could still get more time in future titles.
Darcy could highlight a show as the scientist trying to understand more about the cosmic workings of the MCU. It could be a fun show with her gathering her own pack of sidekicks and give Dennings a chance to really pop in a role that could elevate this scene-stealer to leading lady.
Jimmy Woo
Played as a comic character in Ant-Man and the Wasp, Jimmy Woo got a much better showcase in WandaVision. The former SHIELD agent turned FBI operative still maintains a wry sense of humor but is far more capable than he seems. WandaVision gave the perfect template of Woo now investigating strange happenings and there’s plenty to go around in the MCU.
This would be a perfect way to introduce some smaller side characters into the MCU from Darkhawk to Squirrel Girl. Jimmy can have his own team of aides, maybe playing on the Agents of Atlas comic. Randall Park is an underrated actor deserving of his own starring role and making Woo a lead in a show exploring the weirder parts of the MCU would be it.
Hercules
The stinger for Thor: Love and Thunder introduced the son of Zeus, played by Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein. That seemed to set up a role for the next Thor movie, but Hercules is just as capable of carrying his own show. The Marvel version has always been a fun character in the comics; this millennia-old figure who’d prefer a good party over fighting evil.
We can see Hercules facing some threats tied to Greek mythology. Watching him develop from a selfish and goofy guy to more heroic like his legends would be very entertaining.
Goldstein looks perfect in the role already, he just needs the right showcase to prove it. A Disney Plus series is just the thing to let Hercules shine.
Ghost Rider
It’s questionable if the MCU will get back to Agents of SHIELD. However, Ghost Rider is a character screaming out for his own TV show. The SHIELD series used the Robbie Reyes version of the character, but fans know Ghost Rider has had several incarnations. Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch each had plenty of history that can be used for a series.
A tempting idea would be for Robbie to explore the history of the Rider legacy over the centuries. We can get a ‘90s take with Danny, a 1970s take with Johnny, and more going back to the Old West. If somehow they bring the Riders together, the sight of these flame-headed bikers tearing it up would be awesome. This series would be one of the best rides the MCU could give us.
With rumors of a Ghost Rider project in development at Marvel Studios, now is finally the time to give The Spirit of Vengeance his own TV series.
Sharon Carter
This character never got the great stuff in the MCU as she did in the comics. Sharon Carter was given smaller roles in the Captain America films and didn’t appear in the last Avengers ones. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier brought her back, but she was now a bit bitter, and the big twist was that she was really the mysterious Power Broker. That’s easy fodder for a TV show to focus on, as Sharon would likely be continue her work as this secret criminal mastermind after being granted a pardon for her involvement in the events of Captain America: Civil War.
The big question is, has Sharon truly broken bad or is this all some sort of undercover job? That would be an intriguing direction that could hopefully redeem the character as she keeps viewers guessing on which side she's on. Emily VanCamp has proven adept at a role like this in Revenge and it’d be even better here. If nothing else, this character was done dirty in the MCU and this would make up for it by giving her a chance to really break out.
Dane Whitman
Eternals is a “forgotten” MCU entry, so many have ignored the debut of Dane Whitman. He was the love interest for Sersi (Gemma Chan) and hinted he had his own family secrets. The stinger for the movie had Dane opening a case containing the Ebony Blade only for an off-screen Blade to ask if he wanted to take it. The casting of Kit Harington in the role is good but given the status of a Blade movie or Eternals sequel, it’s tricky seeing if Dane returns.
That’d be a shame considering the Black Knight has a long history in Marvel Comics, including as an Avenger. Thus, a TV show with Dane exploring his family heritage and the curse around this sword would be a better bet. We know Harington can excel as a sword-wielding warrior and mixing it with the MCU could give us some fun dynamics. This is one character plot thread the MCU should consider for the smaller screen.
Maria Rambeau
On paper, showcasing Maria Rambeau in a TV series seems unlikely. The character showed up in the 1990s section of Captain Marvel as Carol Danvers’ best friend. WandaVision revealed Maria had died of cancer, which seemed to end that. But thanks to the multiverse, we’ve seen a version of Maria that was her universe’s Captain Marvel. Also, the stinger for The Marvels had Monica meeting a version of her mom residing in the universe of the X-Men, where she was the cosmic-powered Binary.
Lashana Lynch has always been a great actress and her brief turn as this alternate Maria was fun to watch. A series showing the Binary Maria getting to know this alternate-reality daughter can be a fresh story that also sets up more of the multiverse of the MCU. And given that there were rumors of a Monica Rambeau series at one point, why not just combine the two and continue telling the story of The Marvels' curious post-credits scene.
Elektra
If Daredevil can get his own new MCU show, then his long-time love interest can too. Elodie Yung has been busy in the last few years with her TV show, The Cleaning Lady, but there is no doubt that she could return to one of her most iconic roles if the opportunity presented itself. Now that the events of the Netflix Marvel shows are canon to the MCU, a project focused on the character can follow The Defenders, seeing Elektra cheating death again and once more attempting to get back to life.
It could continue her adventures as a killer or her seeking redemption for her past. That’s a lot to explore for her and Yung could be fabulous in the role. Even if Daredevil himself doesn’t show up, Elektra can continue this saga of a tarnished soul trying to save herself and it could easily be a highlight of a Disney Plus show.
Korg & Miek
This might be better for an animated series to cut down on the CGI. However, fans love Korg, the rocky warrior from the later Thor movies and his silent buddy Miek. An animated series would be a light-hearted but exciting affair, giving the duo their own journey through space, also potentially allowing for some cosmic-based Marvel characters to make their debut. Think I Am Groot but more traditionally animated.
It could also look at Korg’s past before he was kidnapped by the Grandmaster and keep up his fun vibe. Taika Waititi can easily provide Korg's voice and contribute a lot to the show’s story.
A comedic animated MCU show is overdue, and this offbeat pair is a good choice.