Agent Carter Watch Order and MCU Timeline Placement

One of the most common questions about the series is where it fits in the larger MCU. The good news: Agent Carter is easy to place, and you can enjoy it with almost no prior viewing.

The short answer

The series takes place after World War II, in 1946 and 1947. That sits between the events of Captain America: The First Avenger and the modern-day films. In story order, Peggy's adventures here come well before Tony Stark's story begins.

Option 1: release order

This is the way audiences first experienced it, and it works well for newcomers.

• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), which introduces Peggy and Howard Stark.
• The Agent Carter One-Shot (2013), a short film that previews the series. Read more in our One-Shot article.
• Agent Carter Season 1 (2015).
• Agent Carter Season 2 (2016).

Option 2: in-universe timeline order

If you prefer to follow the story chronologically, watch The First Avenger first, then the One-Shot, then Season 1 and Season 2. The result is nearly identical to release order, which is part of why this show is such a convenient entry point.

Do I need Iron Man or the Avengers films first?

No. Howard Stark's role is explained in the series itself, and the later films add only small touches. Knowing that Howard becomes Tony's father is a fun extra, not a requirement.

What to watch afterward

Peggy returns in several later projects, which you can read about in our piece on Peggy Carter's legacy. Watching the series before those appearances makes them land harder, especially if you want the full emotional weight of her story.

A note on spoilers

Season 2 builds on Season 1, so watch the seasons in order. Our episode guides are written to avoid major spoilers, while our character articles may discuss plot developments and say so at the top.