Disney+ Doesn’t Appear to Consider Marvel TV Shows in the MCU

Those lucky enough to become Disney+ early adopters have noticed that the streaming service has created a clear line of delineation between Marvel TV shows and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While MCU films like Ant-Man and the Wasp and Doctor Strange are placed in their rightful section, programs such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Agent Carter can be found under “Marvel Series And Specials.” 

The differentiation appears to be intentional as Marvel casts a wider net across a variety of networks and streaming services. Back in February, Hulu announced their partnership with Marvel on the release of four animated series: Hit-Monkey, MODOK, Tigra & Dazzler, and Howard the Duck. A live-action Ghost Rider series is also coming to Hulu next year with Gabriel Luna to reprise his role as the titular character, which he first played on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 

In an interview with Deadline last month, Marvel Television boss Jeph Loeb broke down the difference between what he refers to as Marvel Knights and Marvel heroes.

“So the Marvel heroes are the ones that are most closely associated with the movies, so that would be S.H.I.E.L.D., and that would be Agent Carter. They came from the movies, our two leads were actually in the movies,” Loeb explains. “Then the next group is the Marvel Street-Level Heroes, or the Marvel Knights, as we sometimes call them here. So, if the Marvel heroes are here to save the universe, the Marvel Street-Level Heroes, the Marvel Knights, often they are just to save themselves, to save the neighborhood.” 

If characters “most closely associated with the movies” exist in S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter, then why are those two shows in “Marvel Series And Specials”? Maybe it’s just simple oversight by the streaming service, but it could also be something to keep an eye on when their slate of Disney+ shows start to appear.