ABC orders a private eye series starring Cobie Smulders; originally known as Stumptown, the show’s pilot episode was based on the comic book series of the same name. Last February, Smulders was announced as the series star. In the MCU, Smulders portrays Maria Hill, the right hand to the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury.

Created by Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth, the original Stumptown comic book series first published in November 2009. The storyline is based in Portland, Oregon, and follows Dex Parios - a female private eye who struggles with a gambling problem. Smulders will star as the protagonist in ABC’s currently-untitled drama series, this coming after Netflix’s February cancellation of Friends from College, a comedy series that aired 16 episodes over two seasons. Prior to starring in Friends from College, Smulders portrayed Robin Scherbatsky on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother. From 2005 to 2014, the Canadian actress appeared in over 200 episodes of the romantic comedy sitcom, which co-starred Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, Josh Radnor, and Alyson Hannigan. 

Per TV Line, Smulders’ private eye pilot has been picked up by ABC for a full season. The Stumptown series is currently known as Untitled Cobie Smulders Project, and was developed for television by Jason Richman. Nearly a decade ago, Richman created the ABC police procedural Detroit 1-8-7 starring Michael Imperioli, which was cancelled after one 18-episode season. Richman also wrote the 2008 Nicolas Cage film Bangkok Dangerous, and has recently written for the PBS series Mercy Street. For the new Stumptown series, the main cast will feature veteran performers Michael Ealy, Mark Webber, and Camryn Manheim.

Since 2012, Smulders has been part of the MCU. She made her franchise debut as Maria Hill in The Avengers and later appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. She’s also portrayed the character on the ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In recent years, Maria Hill had a rough time in Avengers: Infinity War thanks to the big bad Thanos, and the character had a minor yet memorable role in Avengers: Endgame. Soon, Smulders will portray Maria Hill once again in Spider-Man: Far From Home - the final film of the MCU’s Phase 3. For the new ABC series, Smulders will similarly portray a tough-minded character, and one with a military background. 

Moving forward, it’s unclear how Smulders will be utilized by the MCU, but it’s likely that she’ll have a significant role. Meanwhile, she’ll undoubtedly attract Maria Hill fans to ABC for the new Stumptown series, and the gritty storyline may surprise fans who only know Smulders from light-hearted comedy series. Based on ABC’s typical fall schedule, the Stumptown series will most likely premiere in late September. 

More: Nick Fury’s Mission & Conflict With Spider-Man In Far From Home Explained

Sources: TV Line