<P> The fifth season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division), revolves around the character of Phil Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and allies as they try to save humanity while in space . It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise . The season is produced by ABC Studios, Marvel Television, and Mutant Enemy Productions, with Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jeffrey Bell serving as showrunners . </P> <P> The season was ordered in May 2017 . Alongside Clark Gregg, who reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, principal cast members Ming - Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Henry Simmons return from previous seasons, while Natalia Cordova - Buckley is promoted to the principal cast after appearing in a recurring role since season three . Due to its broadcast schedule, the season was split into two "pods", the first of which saw the S.H.I.E.L.D. team transported to deep space in the future . </P> <P> The fifth season began airing on December 1, 2017, and is set to run for 22 episodes . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 89 90 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Orientation" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco David Solomon </Td> <Td> Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen DJ Doyle </Td> <Td> December 1, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 01) </Td> <Td> 2.54 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Leaving Leo Fitz behind, Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Daisy Johnson, Jemma Simmons, Alphonso "Mack" MacKenzie, and Yo - Yo Rodriguez are taken by an unknown group and transported to a space station through a monolith . Upon arrival, the team are heralded by Virgil, who dies soon after . They quickly regroup and meet Deke, who reveals that the space station was built nearly ninety years prior . Hoping to send a message back to Earth, May and Simmons discover it is no longer habitable and appears to have been torn apart by a cataclysmic event . At the same time, Coulson discovers that the monolith not only transported them through space, but also through time . Elsewhere, Mack and Yo - Yo are held captive by the Kree, who maintain control on the station by encouraging bloodshed among its inhabitants . Back in the station, the team attempt to blend in by agreeing to work for Grill and meet Tess, who saves them during the Renewal . Coulson goes with Tess to learn more about Virgil's message and finds a hidden notebook . Meanwhile, Simmons is taken to meet Kasius, the Kree leader of the space station, and is inducted as one of his servants . Later on, Daisy confronts Deke in his framework simulation, where he reveals she is the reason the Earth was torn apart . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 91 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "A Life Spent" </Td> <Td> Kevin Hooks </Td> <Td> Nora Zuckerman & Lilla Zuckerman </Td> <Td> December 8, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 08) </Td> <Td> 1.93 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> In preparation for Lady Basha's arrival, Simmons is given the task of helping an Inhuman champion control her abilities for her exhibition ceremony . Simmons is successful but becomes distraught when Kasius sells his champion to Lady Basha . While the team adapt to their new jobs, Grill becomes suspicious of the new arrivals and sends one of his men to spy on them . During a space expedition, Coulson, May, Mack, and Tess struggle to make sense of Virgil's notebook and discover a radio transmission supposedly originating from the Earth's surface . Grill's spy reports back, only to be framed as a traitor and exiled to die on Earth . Meanwhile, Yo - Yo helps Daisy get ahold of a Kree tablet to try and save Simmons . However, her mission is thwarted by Deke, who reports her to Kasius . Daisy is captured and taken to become his new champion . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 92 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "A Life Earned" </Td> <Td> Stan Brooks </Td> <Td> Drew Z . Greenberg </Td> <Td> December 15, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 15) </Td> <Td> 1.84 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Daisy meets Ben, one of Kasius' other champions, capable of telepathy . Using Ben to corroborate their story, Kasius interrogates Daisy and Simmons about the others . They are able to convince Kasius they came alone, though he remains suspicious . During the interrogation, Ben learns that Kasius intends to destroy the station and everyone on it once he acquires enough profits to leave . Deke returns to the others to gather new information as they learn about the mysterious Level 35 . Recognizing his father's voice on the radio transmission, Deke agrees to help them gain access to the restricted floor . There, they discover that Kasius is attempting to breed Inhumans . May also discovers Deke lied about Daisy's whereabouts, but get interrupted by Sinara's arrival . Coulson leaves with Deke, while May fights her alone . Meanwhile, Grill sends Mack to confront someone who owes him payment . Later, Fitz is revealed to be one of the bidders who've arrived for Daisy's exhibition . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 93 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Rewind" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Craig Titley </Td> <Td> December 22, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 22) </Td> <Td> TBD </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 94 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "Fun & Games" </Td> <Td> Clark Gregg </Td> <Td> Brent Fletcher </Td> <Td> January 5, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 05) </Td> <Td> TBD </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 95 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "Together or Not at All" </Td> <Td> TBA </Td> <Td> TBA </Td> <Td> January 12, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 12) </Td> <Td> TBD </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 96 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "The Last Day" </Td> <Td> TBA </Td> <Td> TBA </Td> <Td> January 19, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 19) </Td> <Td> TBD </Td> </Tr> </Table>

When does agents of shield season 5 begin