SERIES PREMIERE

PEGGY CARTER RETURNS TO ACTION ON A MISSION TO CLEAR THE NAME OF HOWARD STARK... AND SAVE THE WORLD FROM HIS DEADLIEST WEAPONS, ON THE PREMIERE OF "MARVEL'S AGENT CARTER" ON ABC

Dominic Cooper ("Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger") Guest Stars as Howard Stark

ABC presents its second action packed series from the creative minds at Marvel in "Marvel's Agent Carter," inspired by the feature films "Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger" and "Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier," along with the short "Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter." The series premieres TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

Years before Agent Coulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. team swore to protect those who cannot protect themselves from threats they cannot conceive, there was Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell, "Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger," "Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier"), who pledged the same oath but lived in a different time when women weren't recognized as being as smart or as tough as their male counterparts.

But no one should ever underestimate Peggy.

It's 1946 and peace has dealt Peggy a serious blow as she finds herself marginalized when the men return home from fighting abroad. Working for the covert SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve), Peggy finds herself stuck doing administrative work when she would rather be back out in the field; putting her vast skills into play and taking down the bad guys. But she is also trying to navigate life as a single woman in America, in the wake of losing the love of her life, Steve Rogers - aka Captain America.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," when old acquaintance Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper, "Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger") finds himself being framed for unleashing his deadliest weapons to anyone willing to pony up the cash, he contacts Peggy -- the only person he can trust -- to track down those responsible, dispose of the weapons and clear his name. He empowers his butler, Edwin Jarvis, to be at her beck and call when needed to help assist her as she investigates and tracks down those responsible for selling these weapons of mass destruction. If caught going on these secret missions for Stark, Peggy could be targeted as a traitor and spend the rest of her days in prison - or worse.

"Marvel's Agent Carter" stars Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter, James D'Arcy as Edwin Jarvis, Chad Michael Murray as Agent Jack Thompson, Enver Gjokaj as Agent Daniel Sousa and Shea Whigham as Chief Roger Dooley.

Guest starring are Lyndsy Fonseca as Angie Martinelli, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Andre Royo as Spider Raymond, James Hebert as green suit, Kyle Bornheimer as Agent Ray Krzeminiski, Ashley Hinshaw as Colleen O'Brien, Carrick O'Quinn as tall bouncer, James Frain as Leet Brannis, Tim True as tipsy guy, Johnny Marques as bartender, Jeffrey David Anderson as short bouncer, James Urbaniak as scientist, Bill Kalmenson as Senator Webster, Lesley Boone as Rose, Costa Ronin as Anton Vanko and Kevin Heffernan as Madison Avenue Guy.

"Pilot" was written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and directed by Louis D'Esposito.

Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Chris Dingess, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine, Joe Quesada, Stan Lee and Jeph Loeb are executive producers. "Marvel's Agent Carter" is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.

"Marvel's Agent Carter" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

For more information on "Marvel's Agent Carter," visit ABC.com