ABC has confirmed that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has received a full season order, with the network picking up the back-nine episodes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first small screen spin-off for a first season of 22 episodes.

Considering that the show has been pulling in solid ratings – due in no small part of the popularity of the Marvel brand – this news will come as little surprise. Personally, I wasn’t impressed at all by the first two episodes, but I thought this week’s instalment was a huge improvement, so hopefully the series will continue to pick up as the season progresses. Be sure to read Anghus Houvouras’ review of episode three here.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs on Tuesdays on ABC in the States and on Fridays here in the UK on E4, with a cast that includes Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Brett Dalton (Grant Ward), Ming-Na Wen (Melinda May), Iain De Caestecker (Leo Fitz), Elizabeth Henstridge (Jemma Simmons), and Chloe Bennet (Skye).