When it was announced that Clark Gregg would be returning as Agent Phil Coulson in the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series, it created lots of speculation as to what time period the show would be set in, considering that Agent Coulson appeared to die in The Avengers. Eventually, executive producer Joss Whedon clarified that the show would be set after the events of The Avengers, but there was still speculation over the exact time period and if the show would connect with current Marvel movies.

In order to promote the upcoming premiere of Marvel ‘s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., Joss Whedon has now clarified exactly when the series will be set. “The series takes place now,” said Joss Whedon. “The series takes place where we are in the Marvel Universe, and hopefully as it continues there will be a little bit of sort of weaving in and around the movies that are coming up. Obviously, avoiding imitating or spoiling them, but perhaps getting to lay in certain things that have to do with them.”

Whedon added, “There was talk about doing it in the past, but we wanted the show to be current. Not just because we wanted to keep current with the Marvel Universe and the movies, but because we want to be able to talk about the world, be able to talk about now. Because even though it’s a superhero show and even though it’s there to entertain, we want to be able to say something about what human beings are going through right now in the world, in the country.”

Marvel ‘s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 8 PM ET on ABC.