WandaVision: Why Are S.W.O.R.D. Agents So Funny?
Six out of the nine episode of WandaVision have been released on Disney+. So far, the first streaming Marvel Cinematic Universe series has everyone talking about the mystically imprisoned residents of Westview and the attempts made by S.W.O.R.D. to (ostensibly) free them from the sitcom world in which they’ve been ensnared. But the actors portraying S.W.O.R.D. agents have some sitcom experience of their own!
As usual, if you aren’t all the way up to date with WandaVision – in other words, if you haven’t seen the episode released Friday, February 12th, 2021, “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!” you’ll want to leave this page to avoid spoilers.
Randall Park’s FBI Agent Jimmy Woo Gunning for Six Seasons and a Movie
First up is FBI Agent Jimmy Woo, portrayed by Randall Park. While Woo was first introduced in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, the actor has plenty of sitcom experience, as well.
Photo: NBC
Park had several cameo roles on sitcoms, appearing in a season nine episode of “The Office.” And in a season six episode of “Community,” the actor played himself, being brought in on a voice over project to replace Señor Chang (played by fellow MCU alum Ken Jeong).
But Park’s most significant sitcom experience surely comes from playing the patriarch on Fresh Off the Boat, a sitcom that premiered in 2015 and ran on ABC for six seasons.
Kat Denning’s Doctor, Doctor Darcy Lewis of S.W.O.R.D.
Next up is Doctor Darcy Lewis, played by Kat Dennings. Lewis is one of the longest-running characters in the MCU at this point, having been introduced back in Phase One’s Thor (2011), where she was an assistant to Doctor Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). She also made an appearance in Thor: The Dark World (2013), where she got even more experience with parallel dimensions.
Kat Dennings as Maxine on 2 Broke Girls. Photo: CBS
Dennings also has ample sitcom experience. She was one of the eponymous stars of 2 Broke Girls, a sitcom that began in 2011 and ran on CBS for six seasons.
Kat Dennings as Jules Wiley and Beth Grant as Cat Lady on Dollface Season 1. Photo: Hulu
More recently, in 2019, Dennings has starred in the first season of Dollface on Hulu, which may not be a traditional sitcom, but which nevertheless draws on her comedy chops. Supposedly, this series is meant to have an upcoming sophomore season – as long as Darcy isn’t too preoccupied inside the Hex!
Josh Stamberg’s Director Tyler Hayward HAS ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Finally (and try not to boo), there’s S.W.O.R.D. Director Tyler Hayward, played by Josh Stamberg.
Photo: AP/Hollywood Reporter
Stamberg is a character actor who has played a role in many, many different movies and shows (including 2010’s Legion with Paul Bettany). But like so many other badge-carrying members of the WandaVision cast, he has sitcom experience as well, having appeared in guest starring roles on both Arrested Development and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Which sitcom alum do you hope makes a surprise cameo appearance in the final three episodes of WandaVision? We can’t wait to tune in and find out who might drop by in the weeks to come!
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