Hayley Atwell has finally addressed the question many Marvel fans have been asking: Is Peggy Carter returning in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’? A day after Marvel officially confirmed her comeback at San Diego Comic-Con, the actor opened up for the first time about why she chose to reprise the role, saying Peggy's enduring love story with Steve Rogers remains at the heart of her decision. 

Speaking to Discussing Film, Atwell declined to reveal any plot details but reflected on revisiting one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most enduring characters. She also teased that audiences will see Peggy in a very different light when ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ arrives.

Marvel confirmed Atwell's return during its Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, where the studio also unveiled several major announcements, including new casting reveals and upcoming films.

Hayley Atwell avoids 'Avengers: Doomsday' spoilers

Atwell made it clear that fans should not expect any story revelations from her, explaining that she has deliberately stayed away from discussing specifics.

"I just think what I can say without spoiling it. I mean, it helps that I haven't seen it, so I don't know exactly how it's put together," she said.

Although she declined to discuss the film's narrative, Atwell suggested that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will be significantly larger in scale than previous Marvel outings.

Peggy and Steve's romance remains central

Speaking about Peggy Carter's return, Atwell said the emotional connection between Peggy and Steve Rogers continues to define the character.

"I think it's really touching to me that their love story is an enduring one," she said. "You can't really have Steve without Peggy, or without the longing for Peggy."

Her comments come as Chris Evans is also set to return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, following Marvel's latest announcements. The pairing has remained one of the MCU's defining relationships since ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’, culminating in Steve's decision to live out his life with Peggy at the end of ‘Avengers: Endgame’.

Marvel also announced that ‘Avengers: Endgame’ will return to cinemas later this year, placing renewed attention on the couple's story ahead of ‘Doomsday’.

Atwell wanted Peggy to keep evolving

The actor said she only wanted to revisit Peggy if the character had meaningful new material rather than repeating familiar ground.

"Any time I've come back, I've really wanted Peggy to have something different to do, something new, something more, to feel that she's evolved in some way or that the story has kind of moved forward," she concluded. "The stakes are so high. It's such an existential epic of a movie, and you see Peggy in a very different light responding to that."

Which version of Peggy Carter will appear?

Marvel has not revealed which incarnation of Peggy Carter audiences will see in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.

Over the years, Atwell has portrayed multiple versions of the character, including the original Peggy Carter from the ‘Captain America’ films and ‘Agent Carter’, as well as Captain Carter, the super-soldier variant introduced in ‘What If...?’ before appearing in live action in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.

Marvel packed Comic-Con with major announcements

Atwell's return was one of several headline announcements from Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation.

The studio also confirmed that British actor David Jonsson will lead ‘Black Panther 3’ as an older Prince T'Challa II, the son of T'Challa and Nakia first introduced in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Director Ryan Coogler confirmed the sequel will feature a time jump and is scheduled for release in December 2028.

Marvel also unveiled Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider in a standalone film directed by Shawn Levy. The project is slated for release in 2028, with Gosling becoming the second actor to portray the supernatural anti-hero in a live-action feature after Nicolas Cage.