Emilia Clarke Cast as MCU Mystery Character In Marvel's Secret Invasion Disney+ Show

By Aeron Mer Eclarinal Updated:
Emilia Clarke Skrull

The small screen branch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently on an impressive run, as evidenced by the success of both WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The long-form storytelling approach provided the franchise a unique opportunity to explore the film's side characters in a huge way, while also giving these shows a chance to introduce new characters that will make an impact on the big screen offerings down the line. 

One of the shows that will look to make a major impact on the MCU is Secret Invasion. The series is set to showcase the return of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury alongside Ben Mendelsohn's Talos, and it will adapt the famous comic book storyline of the same name. 

Aside from that premise, the exact plot details of the series are still being kept under wraps, and the fact that the MCU established the Skrulls as one of the good guys makes it a complicated one.

Still, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige did hint that there are still evil shapeshifters lurking somewhere, and it looks like a good chunk of them will finally debut in Secret Invasion

Production for Secret Invasion has yet to officially begin, but the roster of the Disney+ series is slowly taking shape due to the recent additions of Kingsley Ben-Adir and Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman. Now, it seems that another veteran actress has joined the upcoming Marvel show. 

EMILIA CLARKE JOINS THE MCU'S SECRET INVASION

Variety shared in a report that former Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is in “final negotiations” to join Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion.

The outlet revealed that the role of Clarke is “naturally under wraps,” but this will mark her first foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Clarke joins the stacked cast of the Disney+ series, which includes the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Olivia Colman. 

EMILIA CLARKE'S POTENTIAL MCU ROLE EXPLAINED

Clarke's reported involvement in Secret Invasion is huge for the MCU, considering the actress' experience and impressive movie resume. It's not surprising that Marvel Studios is keeping the role of Clarke a secret (for now), but it's clear that the possibilities are endless for the Game of Thrones alum. 

If Marvel decides to closely follow the events of the 2008 comic book crossover event, Clarke could play Jessica Drew a.k.a. Spider-Woman due to the character's pivotal role in that series. In the comic storyline, it was revealed in the comics that Jessica was actually being impersonated by Veranke, the Skrull Queen.  

It's possible that Clarke ends up as the original Spider-Woman, with another actress (potentially Olivia Colman) playing Veranke. This is fitting since it gives Clarke an opportunity to play as both a hero and a villain, with a chance of returning as the female web-slinger down the line after Secret Invasion

Aside from Spider-Woman, there's also a chance that Clarke will end up playing Veranke instead, setting her up as a major villain to duke it out with Brie Larson's Captain Marvel in a future project. 

Other characters that Clarke can play in Secret Invasion include the original head of SWORD, Abigail Brand, or even a potential X-Men member like Rogue or Jean Grey. 

Whatever the case, Clarke is a welcome addition to the MCU, and it's reasonable to assume that the actress will be in the franchise for the long haul.

Secret Invasion doesn't have a release date yet, but it's been teased that the series will arrive on Disney+ in 2022. 

- In This Article: Secret Invasion
Release Date
June 21, 2023
Platform
- About The Author: Aeron Mer Eclarinal
Aeron is a news/features writer and Content Lead for The Direct who has been working for the site since March 2020. From writing about the inter-connectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to having an extended knowledge about DC TV's Arrowverse, Aeron's expertise has since expanded into the realm of reality TV, K-drama, animated, and live-action shows from Netflix,  Disney+, Prime Video, MGM+, Peacock, Paramount+, and Max. When he isn't writing and watching all things MCU, Aeron is heavily invested with the NBA (go Celtics!) and occasionally watches thrilling matches in the WWE.