The world is slowly evolving–or so that’s what my hopes are.

ABC has finally recognized the geek culture phenomenon and its massive following.

Shows like “The Bachelor” and “Dancing with the Stars” don’t bring up ratings; shows that the audience can relate to do.

OK, so maybe we can’t relate to being sophisticated S.H.I.E.L.D agents who specialize in weapons technology, but we can hope that ABC will present us with the opportunity to watch popular characters from the nerd world on television every week.

According to ScreenRant.com, production for the S.H.I.E.L.D pilot will begin this month; the series has an expected fall TV season debut. Paul Lee, the network president of ABC, said he believes the show will appeal to men, women and children. He’s hopeful the pilot will be picked up for a full series.

The scripts for the S.H.I.E.L.D. series will be written by Joss Whedon, well-known for his work on “Toy Story,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the web series “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and Marvel’s “The Avengers.”

There has been debate on when the series will take place. Is it going to be a prequel to the “The Avengers”? Or will it be set in a distant future from the movie?

Lee answers this question and a few others, including what agent is likely to be seen again in the S.H.I.E.L.D. series.

“There is no question that it is part of the Marvel Universe. In fact, the story takes place after the battle for New York,” Lee told IGN. “This is S.H.I.E.L.D. They’re following their own particular stories. There are characters in it, Coulson, who clearly comes from ‘Avengers.’”

Yes, he said Coulson will be included in the series–the same Agent Coulson who died in “The Avengers” at the hands of Loki.

Or did he die?

I mean, maybe his death was just a ploy, a way for Nick Fury to anger the Avengers and give them something to avenge, a way to work together.

It wouldn’t be the first deceit told by Fury.

Another common rumor is that it won’t be the “real” Coulson but a kind of clone. I think that S.H.I.E.L.D. is definitely capable of creating something as technologically advanced as a clone.

Whatever rumor you believe, Coulson will live on in the new series, whether we like it or not.

Although Clark Gregg will be headlining the series as Coulson, overseer of field operations, there have been a few other verified agents added to the series, including ace pilot and weapons expert Melinda May; an agent named Gemma Simmons who specializes in life sciences; Leo Fitz, who specializes in weapons technology; Grant Ward, an agent who is good at his job but terrible with his coworkers; and an agent named Skye with a very goofy, bubbly personality.

ABC must be trying to make peace with their inner nerds. This show has potential, especially with a writer like Whedon.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn out to be a failure like every other SciFi series produced by the network.