“Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Season 2 will introduce Lucy Lawless as Agent Isabelle Hartley in Season 2. Marvel just released the first image of the “Xena: Warrior Princess” actress in character, but it doesn’t tell us much about her character. See the image below:

“[Isabelle Hartley is] a longtime S.H.I.E.L.D. agent,” co-creator Maurissa Tancharoen told Hitflix. “So she has a history with Coulson. She’s great. She’s badass. She’s everything we love [about] Lucy Lawless.”

A past with Coulson could refer to a romantic history. Does this indicate that Hartley will be a potential love interest for the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director? We speculated after her casting announcement that Lawless could be Coulson’s new love interest and with so many characters in love triangles it might be nice for Coulson to have at least one person romantically interested in him.

Last season Amy Acker played a cellist that was Coulson’s former flame. However, Coulson still hasn’t revealed to her that he is alive. She thinks Coulson is dead and he thinks that the cellist is safer without him. A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent might be the only person Coulson can feel safe with.

If Hartley is the badass that Tancharoen claims, then she could be a good match for Coulson. He needs someone who is tough and can understand that his job isn’t at all normal. He lives on an airplane where he keeps his flying car and there is an alien serum in his body that brought him back from the dead. Coulson has a dark past and a tough S.H.I.E.L.D. agent might be the only one who can handle his baggage. Even if Lawless doesn’t end up as Coulson’s love interest, a great agent is necessary for Coulson’s S.H.I.E.L.D. rebuild.

There is no word yet on how long Hartley will stick around for but co-creator Jed Whedon said that her story had an arc, implying at least a few episodes. While the episode with her first appearance hasn't been confirmed, the picture of Isabelle Hartley is the first still released from "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Season 2. So, it's safe to assume she'll appear very early in the season.

Do fans want to see Lucy Lawless as a love interest or would you rather let their relationship stay platonic? Take the poll below:

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Season 2 premieres on Tuesday Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. on ABC. Are you excited for Isabelle Hartley's debut? Sound off in the comments section below!

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