Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns for a shortened 13-episode Season 6 this summer, rumored to debut in July, and one of the biggest questions going into the season is whether series icon
Phil Coulson will return. In the closing moments of the Season 5 finale, Coulson was left on a beach in Tahiti with Agent May, seemingly to die [again] from his wound with Loki's scepter.
While Clark Gregg is returning to the show to direct the Season 6 premiere, that so far seems to be the extent of his involvement. The official main cast member lists for both Season 6 and 7 do not include Gregg. Additionally,
TV Line reports that during a set visit in which Season 6's penultimate episode was being filmed, Phil Coulson was consistently spoken of in the past tense.
During this same set visit,
Chloe Bennet was asked about Daisy Johnson's state of mind when Season 6 begins. As one can see, Bennet speaks of Daisy mourning and dealing with Coulson's absence, making his fate very clear.
In my mind, she has a bit more of a peace to her. There is obviously the mourning of Coulson, but she’s also been through it all and she is genuinely stronger from it. She is not dealing with things as she has in the past. She has fully accepted her trauma and is moving forward in the most healthy way, for the first time.
If Coulson does appear in
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 6, the cast and crew are going to extreme lengths to keep his return a secret! Be sure to share if you would like to see Coulson return, and how, to the series or if he should instead be left to rest in peace.