I love how everything is connected in the MCU. But I fully realise that the Movie and TV connection is largely a one-way street. I believe it has to be this way, and I understand that it is very unlikely any event that happens in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is ever going to impact a MCU film, or that the The Defenders will ever make it to the big screen.
But you might be surprised to learn that, excluding Phil Coulson and Peggy Carter, a total of ELEVEN MCU film characters have guest starred on Marvel TV. I've excluded Agents Coulson and Carter, as they are the focus of their respective TV shows.
So let's rank those 11 appearances.
#11. Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi)
Appearances: AoS 2x01 "Shadows"
It was a nice throwback to Captain America: The First Avenger to see Morita as part of the Howling Commandos in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. second season premier. However, his role was very limited, and had no lasting impact. He may show up again in Agent Carter one day perhaps? But I don't think their is much fan interest.
#10. Dr. List (Henry Goodman)
Appearances: AoS 2x11 "Aftershocks", 2x18 "Frenemy of My Enemy", 2x19 "The Dirty Half Dozen"
Dr. List was introduced at the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and killed off (?) at the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron, but in between appeared in 3 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes where he acted as the link between the shows second season and Avengers: Age of Ultron as one of the higher-ups of Hydra. Ultimately, it was a forgettable appearance, but it provided a decent tie in nonetheless.
#9. Jasper Sitwell (Maximiliano Hernandez)
Appearances: AoS 1x07 "The Hub", 1x15 "Yes Men", 1x16 "End of the Beginning"
Tying in directly to Captain America: The Winter Soldier I thought Agent Sitwell's appearances should have been more significant, given the established friendship between Coulson and Sitwell seen in the One-Shots. Ultimately I was left cold, but he played a large part in the Hydra reveal.
#8. Matthew Ellis (William Sadler)
Appearances: AoS 3x01 "Laws of Nature"
Was a surprise appearance at the end of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s season 3 premier, as the Iron Man 3 president set up the foundation for the first half the third season. I'm a continuity buff, so connecting the fairly well independent Iron Man 3 was seen as a plus, combined with establishing a timeline of events, and was a nice dramatic push.
#7. Dum Dum Dugan (Neal McDonough)
Appearances: AoS 2x01 "Shadows", AC 1x05 "The Iron Ceiling"
Had a nice cameo at the start of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s second season, but had a much larger role in the Agent Carter episode "The Iron Ceiling". The Howling Commando provided a strong connection to Cap for Agent Carter, and was a strong presence.
#6. Gideon Malick (Powers Boothe)
Appearances: AoS 3x06 "Among Us Hide..." to 3x10 "Maveth"
As apart of the World Security Council on The Avengers, it was great to bring Powers Boothe acting talent for a larger fole in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Season 3's big villain, Malick provides a cute tie-in with Hydra's presence in The Avengers and the ongoing connection with the larger universe.
#5. Arnim Zola (Toby Jones)
Appearances: AC 1x08 "Valediction"
A villain across both Captain America films, Arnim Zola's gap in history between the first two films was eluded to in the 'after credits' scene for Agent Carter's first season. Zola promises to be a larger part of the 2nd season, and was quite a surprise.
#4. Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders)
Appearances: AoS 1x01 "Pilot", 1x20 "Nothing Personal", 2x19 "The Dirty Half Dozen"
Nick Fury's 2nd in command was the first to show the connection with the greater MCU, Maria Hill was a key part in setting up the T.A.H.I.T.I., Hydra and Age of Ultron sub plots for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I'd love for Maria to be a greater part of the show, given she is not officially in Captain America: Civil War we might get another appearance?
#3. Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander)
Appearances: AoS 1x15 "Yes Men", 2x12 "Who You Really Are"
The Asgardian Warrior graced us with her presence in 2 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes - the first showcasing the Thor connection, while the second helping to establish the Kree and Inhumans in the show's mythos. Moving the story forward and providing levity a the same time, we hope she comes back soon!
#2. Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper)
Appearances: AC 1x01 "Now is Not the End", 1x04 "The Blitzkrieg Button", 1x08 "Valediction"
The driving force behind Agent Carter's first season plot, Howard Stark connection to the modern MCU can not be underestimated. I'm very interested in how he connects to the founding father of the MCU (Tony Starke) and so far has not disappointed.
#1. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)
Appearances: AoS 1x02 "0-8-4", 1x22 "Beginning of the End"
The biggest star to grace the small screen, I was pleasantly surprised about the size of Nick Fury's role in the first season finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - it wasn't just a cameo like his first appearance, but a substantive plot point. And while it is unlikely the Fury will ever grace the small screen again, his appearance solidified the greater connection.
So what do you think? Do you agree with this list? Have I forgotten anyone?