Hayley Atwell, who starred in less-than-edifying remakes of two of the best TV series of all times, The Prisoner and Brideshead Revisited, has joined the cast of The First Avenger: Captain America.  Atwell will play Peggy Carter, the gun-toting American agent who helps Captain America (Chris Evans) battle the Nazis in this origin saga set during World War II that focuses on the early days of Steve Rogers who volunteers for an experimental super soldier program that turns him into Captain America.

According to Variety, Marvel had also been considering Keira Knightly for the role, but decided to go with Atwell instead.  Joe Johnston is directing the Captain America film, which begins shooting in London this summer and is slated to debut on July 22nd, 2011.