Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is not ending any time soon at ABC!

The network has placed an early order for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 despite the sixth season not debuting on the network until next summer.

The move is somewhat surprising, especially when you consider the fact that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 averaged just over 2 million viewers and a 0.5 rating in the all-important 18-49 demo.

It certainly shows the pull Marvel has when it comes to getting marginally rated shows renewed, but the show has been used several times to stage tie-ins with the Marvel movies.

Despite getting a 13 episode order for the sixth season, ABC President Channing Dungey maintained earlier this year that it did not spell a final season for the series.

According to the press release, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Henry Simmons, Natalia Cordova-Buckley and Jeff Ward are the stars of the series, adding fuel to the fire that Clark Gregg is not returning.

If you watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. online, you know that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 Episode 22, appropriately titled The End," concluded with Gregg's alter ego, Agent Phil Coulson walking out of view with Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen).

It certainly seemed like both characters were off to start a new chapter well away from the action, but with Ming-Na slated to return, it certainly makes it seem like only one half of the couple is coming back.

Even if Gregg does not appear on-screen again, he's still working on the show. He is directing episodes of the sixth season, so there's that.

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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns to ABC in 2019!