Maria Hill was created in 2005 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, and she has been one of the most pivotal SHIELD characters in Marvel Comics for over 15 years. Hill became Director of SHIELD in the comics and she is a major player in the events of the Marvel Universe, clashing with everyone from Tony Stark to Steve Rogers to Jessica Jones. However, Maria hasn't received the same emphasis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hill made her MCU debut in Spider-Man: Far From Home (although Hill and Fury were really Skrulls).

Related: The MCU Hints Carol Danvers Named Herself Captain Marvel (& When)

Although Maria Hill held the rank of Commander and rose up to be Deputy Director of SHIELD in the MCU, she never got to have Nick Fury's job - until What If...? episode 7. After Fury is accidentally injured by Korg (Taika Waititi), Hill assumes the role of Acting Director and has to oversee SHIELD's response to Thor and his coterie of aliens partying all over the globe. Since the Avengers are yet to assemble at this point in the alternate timeline, Hill follows Fury's playbook and summons Captain Marvel (Alexandra Daniels) to handle Thor. The Acting Director also had to counter the enthusiasm among her own people like Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo) to resort to a nuclear strike before  Captain Marvel put a stop to Thor's party. Her decisive actions prove once and for all that she has what it takes to be SHIELD director.

In many cases, Hill is portrayed as even more no-nonsense than Fury, but it's ultimately her unwavering loyalty to her boss that defines her. Interestingly, Joss Whedon had different initial plans for Hill. Deleted scenes from The Avengers showed Hill bargaining with the World Security Council to push Fury out and take his job as SHIELD's top dog, although she eventually sided with Nick after the Council illegally authorized a nuclear strike on New York City. Whedon decided to cut these scenes to keep Nick Fury and Maria Hill as a rock-solid team, and that has held firm throughout the rest of their appearances together in the MCU thus far.

For Marvel fans who were always disappointed that Maria Hill never got to be more than Nick Fury's sidekick in the MCU, her promotion in What If...? was worth the wait. Although she had to weigh the differing opinions from her SHIELD agents, Captain Marvel, and Dr. Jane Foster on how to best respond to Thor and his epic party, Hill showed she had the patience and good judgment to effectively lead SHIELD during a global crisis as opposed to remaining as a ing player in Fury's shadow.