The day news broke that ABC canceled Marvel’s Agent Carter, the fans started planning — they were not going to give up easily. The effort began as fans launched an organized effort to court Netflix in hopes the streaming giant would pick up the beloved show and add it to their growing roster of original programming. A petition appeared on Change.org, and the signature count quickly exploded. In less than a week, the petition gained more than 90,000 signatures, and, on day nine, it hit a staggering 100,000. The milestone did not go unnoticed by the cast and series actor Enver Gjokaj was quick to point it out on Twitter:
Oh man I think you guys broke 100k! Wow. #AgentCarter https://t.co/58mA4bgTRy
— Enver Gjokaj (@EnverGjokaj) May 21, 2016
change.org
As fan petitions go, the Agent Carter petition definitely lifts some brows. Other fandoms have launched similar petitions recently for canceled shows Galavant and Nashville but haven’t seen anywhere near the same results. The Galavant petition is slowly chugging along with less than 12,000 signatures since May 3, and the Nashville petition is doing slightly better at 40,000 signatures in one week.
Agent Carter fans have also organized on social media platforms to spread the word as much as possible. On Thursday night, they orchestrated a trending party on Twitter and #SaveAgentCarter was trending high for most of the evening, as fans tweeted reasons the show should be saved.
Don’t let Civil War be the end of Peggy Carter’s legacy. Her story deserves to be told. #SaveAgentCarter pic.twitter.com/QKYTiNcAEp
— Agent Chrisi || 12 (@arealdarlingcap) May 20, 2016
#SaveAgentCarter is trending? That’s great! MORE PEGGY, PLEASE!
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) May 20, 2016
True friends,humor, outstanding period music+costumes, roller coaster emotions…Only a few reasons why @Netflix should #SaveAgentCarter.
— leisa2 (@leisa2) May 20, 2016
#SaveAgentCarter because Peggy’s story is not over. She has a world to change and a legacy to build. Let’s see it. @netflix @ABCNetwork
— Niala Terrell-Mason (@scififreak35) May 20, 2016
#AgentCarter uses the extremes of 40’s society to highlight inequalities that still exist today. #SaveAgentCarter pic.twitter.com/pDr4PImjmF
— RenewAgentCarter (@RenewAgntCarter) May 21, 2016
What sets the Agent Carter effort apart from others is the fact that Agent Carter is a Marvel property, and Marvel already has a working relationship with Netflix. It isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility for the show to be picked up. And, although Agent Carter doesn’t fit the general tone of other Marvel properties that have found homes on Netflix, that difference could very well work in its favor. Where Daredevil and Jessica Jones are dark and gritty and, at times, bordering on disturbing (Kilgrave was easily the most terrifying Marvel villain to ever hit the screen), Agent Carter’s vintage vibe and noir-inspired scenery are a breath of fresh air. Netflix could use another female hero in its decidedly male-dominated Marvel line-up with tough guys Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Punisher all waiting in the wings.
While a petition alone isn’t usually enough to bend the ear of the powers that be, more than 100,000 fans could prove to be difficult for decision-makers to ignore. Hopefully, we haven’t seen the last of our beloved Peg.
The petition is still available to sign if you’re ready for more of Marvel’s Agent Carter!
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