Joss Whedon's 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' pilot casts Ming-Na in lead role

ER alum Ming-Na Wen has just entered the Whedonverse.

The actress has just landed a lead role in the forthcoming Avengers spin-off TV series S.H.I.E.L.D., from cult fave Joss Whedon, EW has confirmed. She will play Agent Melinda May, a kick-ass pilot and weapons expert.

The series, set to focus on superspy operation established in the Marvel universe, received a pilot order from ABC back in August and, as expected, has generated a lot of buzz. Most recently, Avengers nuts were stunned by confirmation that Clark Gregg’s Agent Phil Coulson — thought to be dead after the Avengers film — would return in the show. (Rumors of his return had been swirling.)

Since her days on ER, Ming-Na Wen has contributed to a number of genre projects, including voice work in The Batman animated series, a role on Stargate Universe, and a part on Eureka.

Deadline first reported the news.

Read more:

Joss Whedon responds to ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ cinematographer’s slam of ‘The Avengers’: ‘I’m a fan.’

Agent Phil Coulson will return in Joss Whedon’s ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ spin-off

• By Sandra Gonzalez