Lucy Lawless to Join 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'

Looks like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D just got a little more fierce. Lucy Lawless, otherwise known as Xena from Xena: Warrior Princess or the woman who stole Ron Swanson's heart on Parks and Recreation, is joining the show. In what capacity and for how many episodes has yet to be revealed. Will she appear as She-Hulk? The new Lady Thor? Another S.H.I.E.L.D agent? There's no way to tell, but one thing is for sure: Lawless is more than qualified to wrestle with superhumans on national television.

After all, she did play the famous Xena, a superheroine in her own right. Regardless of what character Lawless has on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., she'll probably be quite different from Xena — for starters, she won't have to wear uncomfortable bikini armor. But there are some major qualities that Lawless' character will hopefully take from Xena...

Her Struggle for Redemption

Xena's whole storyline on Xena: Warrior Princess was a struggle to make good for her villainous past. Of course, the kind of depth that Lawless' character has on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be determined first and foremost by how many episodes she's in. But if she ends up being a bigger presence on the show, it will be interesting if her character has the same kind of trajectory. After all, nothing is more compelling than a former villain on a quest for redemption.

Her Power

One thing Xena had in spades was fighting power. And Lawless will most likely have the same kind of skill, no matter what her role on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is. But Xena's strength came from more than just fighting skill. It was almost a kind of hunger, deep within her; a look in her eyes that said she wanted to tear her enemies to pieces. Not only is that kind of fire fascinating to watch, but it would make an interesting foil for the cold and deadpan (but equally fierce fighter) Melinda May.

Her Loyalty

Although Xena was seriously fierce, she was a good friend...and occasionally more than just a friend, depending on which way you look at it. But either way, Xena would go to great lengths for the people she cared about. So far on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., some of the relationships have been a little less than compelling, so the show could certainly use a character with Xena's loyalty and dedication.

Images: Tumblr/earlingstad