New ‘Secret Invasion’ plot details reveal a returning MCU veteran is much more important than we thought

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secret invasion

via Marvel Studios

Secret Invasion doesn’t look to be as expansive as the Avengers-level comic book event, but the incoming Disney Plus series is still set to feature a range of familiar faces from the wider MCU. In addition to leads Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Ben Mendelsohn (Talos) and newcomers Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman, the show features the likes of Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Don Cheadle as Rhodey/War Machine, and Martin Freeman as Everett Ross.

Speaking of Freeman, the Black Panther favorite has only appeared in brief glimpses in the trailers, so we were under the impression he would only play a minor part in proceedings. It’s surprising, then, that Ross gets a major mention in a brand-new Secret Invasion synopsis. The show’s Disney Plus landing page was removed from the streaming platform last week after a snafu with the release date being revealed earlier than intended, but now it’s back — along with these fresh plot details.

According to this synopsis, Secret Invasion is “set in the present day MCU. Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.”

martin freeman everett ross
via Marvel Studios

While we guessed Maria Hill would once again be by Fury’s side in this fight, it’s news to us that Ross will be part of the core team of heroes for the series as well. Secret Invasion marks Freeman’s fourth role in the MCU, following on from his debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, return in 2018’s Black Panther, and comeback after a lengthy gap in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. With Ross on board, we can probably expect a cameo from his ex-wife, Contessa Val (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

Secret Invasion is due to infiltrate streaming on June 21.