One of the biggest names and hugest supporters involved with the new Marvel/ABC television series Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premieres tonight, is Ming-Na Wen. Already a hero to a generation as the voice of Mulan, Ming-Na will now be a hero to more people as the butt-kicking pilot Melinda May.
In the last of our S.H.I.E.L.D. interviews from this summer’s press tour, we talk to Ming-Na Wen about her character and what we’ll have to look forward to from her.
KSITETV: What kind of character is Melinda May, especially when compared to Agent Coulson?
MING-NA WEN: You know, it’s interesting. I’m interested to see what she was like before something happened to her, to make her retreat and want to just work in an office job. I do believe that, like Agent Coulson, she loves the job. She loves being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. She believes in its purpose. And it’s up to Agent Coulson to bring her back into the field and make her carry out her services as a skilled agent.
Do you feel that, like some other characters that you have been famously known for, is Melinda May a character that young girls can look up to and want to be?
I hope so. I have a daughter who is 12, and I think playing a strong female role is great. You know, we not only have Agent Melinda May as a strong female role model, but the other two female characters are also smart, and feisty, and independent, and enthusiastic about what they do. They have a passion. And that’s ultimately the key, especially for the younger generation: They have to have a passion.
Were you drawn to this role because you had been interested in the other Marvel movies?
I was drawn to this role, because when I got word from my agent that Joss Whedon wanted to meet with me for this part, that was pretty much it! I don’t care what he writes — she could be a troll, and I’ll do it!
Is there anything you can tease for people who have not yet seen the pilot?
I think the amazing thing about the pilot episode is that when you see something explode, 9 times out of 10 it’s real. We actually did make things explode, and it’s not CGI. You’re going to discover six new characters to fall in love with.
What would you like to see for Melinda in the first season of the show?
Ultimately, I would love to learn more about who she is and hopefully how she’ll be able to be part of this team in full capacity.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres tonight at 8PM on ABC! Hopefully you’re already following our S.H.I.E.L.D. Twitter account @SHIELDsite! We’ve also already set up the forum for tonight’s show and you can find everything to go with that, including a Countdown/LIVE discussion thread here. Here are some other extras associated with the season premiere that you may enjoy:
