Secret Invasion’s Cobie Smulders Opens Up About Filming Maria Hill’s “Emotional” Premiere Ending

WARNING: The following article contains significant spoilers for the premiere of Marvel’s Secret Invasion!

The first episode of Marvel Studios’ latest series, Secret Invasion, concluded with a shocking twist that left fans worldwide in awe. Maria Hill, a character who has been a fixture in the franchise since The Avengers in 2012, met her demise at the hands of a Skrull posing as Nick Fury. Barring any mind-bending multiverse escapades in the future, Maria Hill’s character is no more, and her death caught everyone off guard.

Cobie Smulders, the actress portraying Maria Hill, sat down with EW after the Secret Invasion debut to discuss the surprising demise of her character. Smulders opened up about filming the final scene of the episode.

“It was an emotional and frightening experience. Fortunately, we were shooting the entire sequence in a single location over a couple of days, so we had everything: explosions, running, chasing, Skrull transformations, and more. It was one of the last things I filmed,” Smulders explained.

“I truly cherished my time working with Sam [Samuel L. Jackson], and I have enjoyed every moment portraying Maria. So, I felt saddened, but I’m also incredibly grateful,” she added. “When I signed on for this role ten years ago, I never thought I would even get it after the audition. I remember telling my husband, ‘Well, that was fun. I didn’t embarrass myself, but I definitely didn’t get it.’ It has truly been a blessing to have all these opportunities, transitioning from films to TV and even animated projects. It has been a magical journey. It was a sad way to say goodbye, but I am grateful for the time I had.”

Will Maria Hill Return to the MCU?

The Maria Hill we have known in the MCU is gone, thanks to Gravik and his Skrull team. However, the Marvel franchise has witnessed stranger things in the past, leaving room for a potential return of Maria Hill.

Considering the introduction of the multiverse in the MCU, it is conceivable that another version of Maria Hill could make an appearance. Additionally, the timeline plays a role. Rumors have circulated about Smulders’ involvement in The Marvels later this year. Given what we witnessed in Secret Invasion, that seems unlikely, but it’s possible that The Marvels (or at least part of it) takes place before the events of the show.

Maria Hill on Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Aside from her live-action portrayals of Maria Hill, Smulders has also lent her voice to the character in Disney Channel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur animated series. Smulders confirmed that she recently recorded new episodes for the show, indicating her ongoing involvement.

“I don’t make those decisions myself,” Smulders replied when asked about a potential Maria Hill comeback. “I’m still working on the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur animated series—I literally recorded an episode today. So, I have no idea how or when Maria will return to me, but I’m always open to the call.”

Marvel’s superspy Nick Fury returns in Secret Invasion, the limited series premiering on Disney+ on June 21st. Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role, leading Fury’s investigation into a Skrull invasion that infiltrates influential positions in various governments and organizations worldwide. In Secret Invasion, Fury teams up with allies Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), while James Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, will make a mysterious appearance. The series also introduces newcomers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, and Kingsley Ben-Adir.