Whitney Frost

"Fix me? Why would I want to be fixed? I have never felt more powerful in my entire life!"

- Whitney Frost

Agnes Cully, better known by her stage name, Whitney Frost, is a scientist and an actress living in Los Angeles who used the influence of her husband, Calvin Chadwick, to experiment with Zero Matter. During her experiments, an accident caused Frost to become infected by the Zero Matter, granting her the ability to absorb her enemies into her skin. Using her incredible intelligence, Frost began experimenting with her new power while fighting off the investigation of SSR agent Peggy Carter and the interference of the Council of Nine.

Early Life
"You really think that that fancy science program's gonna take a girl? It don't matter how smart you are, you're stuck here. Same as me." "I will still get out'a here, away from you!"

- Wilma Cully and Agnes Cully

As a child, Agnes Cully lived in Broxton, Oklahoma, the daughter of Richard and Wilma Cully. While growing up, Cully developed a keen interest in science and would often tinker with various items around the house, including a broken clock which she easily fixed, despite little encouragement. Her mother began a love affair with Bud Schultz, who provided them with money and a home in exchange for sex. Cully was encouraged to call Schultz her uncle, despite the young girl never liking the man. As Cully got older, her mother discovered that Schultz was having an affair with a younger woman and wanted them out of his house, despite her mother's pleas. Once Schultz had gone, Cully's mother insisted that she should have been nicer to him, despite Cully still insisting that she simply did not like the man. Cully's mother rudely then told her that the University of Oklahoma had rejected her application on the grounds of her being a woman, before insisting that only her looks would get her by in life.

Scouted
"Smile like that and I bet I could get you some work as a model, or maybe even an actress in one of those pictures. What do you think?" "That sounds real interesting."

- Ned Silver and Agnes Cully

While living in California in 1934, Cully spent much of her time going to see a movie in an attempt to escape the world, despite limited funds. One day, Cully knew she could not afford a ticket and decided to walk away; however, a kindly usher took pity on the young woman after speaking to her briefly and quietly gave her a free ticket. While going into the Olympic Movie House, Cully was approached by Ned Silver, who told her she was very pretty when she smiled. Silver explained he was a talent scout who could get her either into modelling or acting in the movies, implying that he expected sexual favors in exchange. Despite being nervous, Cully remembered her mother's words and agreed. Silver insisted, however, that she change her name to something more beautiful. Eventually, Agnes Cully started performing and chose the stage name "Whitney Frost".

Meeting the Mob
Around 1935, Frost met Joseph Manfredi, the leader of the Maggia in Los Angeles. Manfredi was very attracted to Frost, but she eventually met and married Calvin Chadwick. Though he was upset, Manfredi sent expensive Bone China to Frost as a wedding present.

Scientist
"America's sweetheart is the brains behind Isodyne Energy." "Every eye in the country on her, and no one sees her."

- Daniel Sousa and Peggy Carter about Whitney Frost

During World War II, Cully helped the Allied forces by having the idea to rotate the frequencies used by the Allies to send coded messages across enemy lines. Cully made Isodyne Energy prominent during the war with her patented inventions. In 1943 she designed and patented a reactor that could theoretically generate a thousand times more power than a fast-neutron reactor. When a powerful substance was discovered during a nuclear test, Frost took charge and named the substance Zero Matter, seeking to use its otherworldly properties to her own ends. Frost believed that the Zero Matter could be used to push humanity to higher levels of advancement.

Actress
"Whitney Frost, star of The "F" Stands for Freedom." "She doesn't look familiar."

- Edwin Jarvis and Peggy Carter

Whitney Frost was a well-known actress in Hollywood, gaining multiple starring roles in different movies. She had one of the leading roles in "The "F" Stands for Freedom", a movie that debuted in 1946. She also was the lead in "Tales of Suspense", and in "The Woman in the Golden Mask".

Distraction
"See hon, you figured out how to fix it all." "And that's the last time we should have to dirty our hands, just because you dirtied other parts of your anatomy."

- Calvin Chadwick and Whitney Frost

While Frost was attending a horse race at Santa Anita Park with her husband Calvin Chadwick, who owned one of the horses participating in the race. The famous couple were posing for pictures when they were approached by Edwin Jarvis, who claimed to be the head of production for Stark Pictures, the production company recently founded by Howard Stark, and requested a private talk with Frost while Chadwick spoke to Jarvis' associate, Peggy Carter. Once they were alone, Jarvis told Frost that she would be perfect for the lead role in Stark Pictures' newest production; however, when Frost asked the name of the film, Jarvis became flustered. He called it The British are Coming. When Frost informed him she was not interested in costume dramas, he assured her that it would be a modern piece where she would play a tough-as-nails British spy, which intrigued her, although a love interest was yet to be found. When Chadwick joined them, he was clearly annoyed. Carter also appeared and informed Jarvis that their horse had lost and they quickly left without another word. When Andrew Henry, the man Frost and Chadwick had hired to hide Jane Scott's body, became ill, he attempted to go to the couple for medical aid, taking Jason Wilkes hostage and threatening to kill Strategic Scientific Reserve Agents Carter and Daniel Sousa. The pair decided to hire a police officer to kill Henry before he could reveal any secrets to the SSR. The mission was successful; once the officer was paid, Frost and Chadwick discussed the success, with Frost telling her husband that it would be the last time they would have to dirty their hands because Chadwick dirtied himself with an affair.

Betrayed by the Council
"We have at our fingertips the means to change the world, and they just want to throw it away. Zero Matter can make atomic energy as obsolete as the steam engine." "Well I told them that, they think there's too much risk, what with all the press surrounding the lab."

- Whitney Frost and Calvin Chadwick

Continuing her work, Frost performed a scene for her latest war movie in which she proclaimed her love for her co-star. When the director called "cut" on the scene, he called her over and rudely demanded that the makeup artist cover up the lines under her eyes and that the wardrobe department bring her stomach in. When Frost insisted that it was impossible, he told her to skip lunch before asking the gaffer to change the lighting to hide her true age. Returning to her dressing room, Frost was told by Calvin Chadwick, who had been waiting for her, that the Council of Nine had decided to scrap their research into Zero Matter. Frost reminded Chadwick of the benefits their discovery held but he explained that the Council was insistent of scrapping the plan and cleaning out the labs. The furious Frost accused Chadwick of causing this due to his affair with Jane Scott and told him he should not have let them walk all over him. Chadwick told her they would focus on his Senate campaign and she claimed that she agreed it was right.

Stealing the Zero Matter
"Now, you're going to place the specimen in that case and you're going to give it to me." "Miss Frost, you have no idea what this stuff is capable of." "Oh on the contrary, I am the only person who knows what it's capable of. Now hand it over!"

- Whitney Frost and Jason Wilkes

Believing that the Council of Nine were making a mistake, Frost traveled to the Isodyne Energy Headquarters where she discovered Jason Wilkes was already attempting to steal the Zero Matter and held it in a small glass container. Wilkes was confused to see Frost, noting that he was a fan of her work but questioned why she was there. Frost demanded Wilkes hand over the specimen, drawing a gun and threatening him to do as instructed. Wilkes realized that Frost was unwilling to shoot him while he held the glass case in fear it would break and release the Zero Matter. When she was momentarily distracted, Wilkes disarmed her and they engaged in a brief fight, during which the Zero Matter was dropped and smashed on the ground. Seeing the unstable substance react to the sudden fall, Wilkes told her to run moments before it caused a massive explosion which destroyed much of the side of the building and separated the pair in the chaos. Frost did survive the explosion and returned to her home, where she hid behind her wardrobe in shock from the experience. As Calvin Chadwick banged on her door and demanded to be allowed to enter so he could speak to her about what he believed to be an accident at the lab which had destroyed the Zero Matter, Frost examined her face in the mirror. As she looked at her reflection, Frost saw that the Zero Matter had embedded itself in a small cut on her forehead, the consequences of which she did not yet know.

Discovered
"What are your instincts telling you now?" "That things aren't what they seem."

- Whitney Frost and Peggy Carter

Frost continued to study her cut and discovered that the Zero Matter was absorbed into her skin. Calvin Chadwick burst into the room to discuss how they had framed Jason Wilkes as a communist. As the delighted Chadwick went to collect a bottle of wine to celebrate, Frost told him she wished to quit acting, but he recommended that they wait until after his campaign. Misunderstanding her intentions, Chadwick told her that once they had moved to Washington, D.C., she would be able to quit and they could have a family. While back on set, Frost was approached by Agent Peggy Carter of the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Carter revealed that she wished to speak to Frost about the explosion at Isodyne Energy Headquarters, although Frost claimed that Wilkes' death was a tragedy and noted that he was a communist. Carter asked what Frost knew of Isodyne's work but again Frost acted innocent, claiming to know nothing of their research and denied that she was at the lab at the time of the explosion. They discussed how the papers lie, with Frost noting a story that she was having an affair with. Frost's Director Kenneth then called Frost to set. The agitated Frost informed Chadwick of her encounter with Agent Carter as the pair got ready for bed. Believing that Chadwick was not listening or taking her seriously, Frost dismissed his promise to take care of the situation officially and insisted they hire Rufus Hunt to assassinate her. Chadwick refused, stating they had had too many run-ins with the police already so Frost resorted to crying and claiming that Carter had threatened her, mentioning what would happen if the Council of Nine found out, which led to Chadwick doing as she had asked. As Frost prepared for another scene, Kenneth came into her dressing room and informed her that the studio wished to recast her; however he had convinced them to change their minds. As Frost happily hugged her director, Kenneth attempted to seduce her, calling her beautiful and holding her close. As Kenneth touched Frost's hair, he spotted her scar and furiously demanded to know what had happened. In a panic, Frost grabbed Kenneth's wrist and, to her horror, watched as the Zero Matter absorbed him into her skin, causing her scar to grow.

Zero Matter Experiments
"Thank you, that'll be all." "Something's moving in here." "Thank you, that'll be all..."

- Whitney Frost and Mabel

Seeking to further understand her situation, Frost had a collection of rats delivered to her from Isodyne Energy. When Frost's maid Mabel brought them in, she ignored her comments about there being something alive in the closed box. Taking notes as she worked, Frost took a single rat out of the cage and attempted to absorb it using the power of Zero Matter, although the initial tests were unsuccessful and the rats seemed unaffected by skin contact. Calvin Chadwick interrupted the tests as he came in to discuss his campaign. Frost claimed that she was busy reading her lines ahead of her scene, with Chadwick noting that Kenneth was still missing; Frost noted that Kenneth enjoyed a drink and might be found dead in a river. Chadwick informed her that Life Magazine were having a photoshoot with them both and had requested Frost wear a revealing dress, telling her that if they were successful, it would not be long until he was the President of the United States. As he left he told her not to be late. Once Chadwick was gone, Frost locked her door and went back to her experiments. She violently pulled one of the rats from its cage and held it in her hands; as she closed her eyes to concentrate, it bit her. Angered, she managed to successfully absorb it into her skin, watching in the mirror as her scar once again began to grow on her forehead. After hours of experiments, Frost had killed all the rats and studied her now large scar. Chadwick called, furious that she had failed to show up to the photoshoot, although Frost claimed to be under the weather.

Erasing Mistakes
"That was me, fixing another one of your problems." "What are you?!" "Whatever I want."

- Whitney Frost and Calvin Chadwick

Frost answered a frantic knocking on her door; Rufus Hunt, looking disheveled, quickly entered, asking for a drink. Hunt complained about the quality of the alcohol she gave him when Calvin Chadwick joined them. Hunt complained that he had been abducted by Peggy Carter; while Chadwick threatened to have her fired and deported, Frost wanted to know what Hunt had said. Hunt said that he had revealed the existence of the Council of Nine because Carter threatened his life. While Chadwick chastised Hunt for not living up to his reputation, Frost began to close the curtains of the room. Hunt told Chadwick that the politician would protect him from the wrath of the Council or he would reveal that Chadwick and Frost were working without the Council's knowledge on their own projects. Frost ordered Chadwick to observe something, but he was too engaged in the argument to mind her. Frost told her husband that Hunt only made a simple mistake and began to caress Hunt's face. Suddenly, she grabbed him by the throat, converted him into Zero Matter, and absorbed Hunt. Chadwick was in shock and fear as his wife approached him, asking her what she had done. Frost told him that she had corrected another of his mistakes. When Chadwick stared in horror at the scar which was taking over her face, he asked her what she was; she replied that she was anything she wanted to be.

Increasing Her Power
"You've seen what I can do with just a small amount of Zero Matter. I mean can you imagine, just imagine what we could accomplish if we had the power to bend the world to our will. No more war, no more fear and you, you, you would finally get the recognition and the respect that you deserve."

- Whitney Frost to Calvin Chadwick

Frost calmly went to sleep behind Calvin Chadwick that night, despite her actions of murdering Rufus Hunt having mortified her husband. Frost was awoken in the middle of the night by a feeling of the Zero Matter inside of Jane Scott's body calling out to her. Frost found Chadwick in their wardrobe attempting to leave and informed him that she needed his help. The pair traveled to the County Cold Storage Building owned by Thomas Gloucester; once inside Frost brought them both to the room containing Scott's body. Explaining that the Zero Matter who called her there, Frost ordered Chadwick to open the casket. As she looked at Scott's corpse, which was infused with Zero Matter, Frost touched Scott's skin and absorbed her power. The incredible new power caused Frost's eyes to turn black and she informed her husband that she needed an Atomic Bomb to recreate the Zero Matter experiment. Returning to the Chadwick Residence, Frost continued to try and persuade Chadwick that they needed to acquire the bomb from Roxxon Oil Corporation, although Chadwick insisted that Hugh Jones would never allow it. Frost argued that if they acquired more Zero Matter then the Council of Nine would be forced to answer to them, claiming that they would succeed and her power could allow them to bring world peace. Chadwick remained skeptical and questioned how they would achieve this, so Frost told him they would have to make a deal with Joseph Manfredi.

Deal with the Mob
"Those construction contracts are going to be worth millions, and they would all be yours." "And what would you need in return?" "Just some men, just men to help me move some equipment."

- Whitney Frost and Joseph Manfredi

Frost and Calvin Chadwick traveled to the restaurant where Joseph Manfredi was eating and requested to see him. Manfredi invited them over and began talking to Frost about the wedding gift he had gotten her. Frost explained that due to Chadwick's place in the senate, they were willing to offer Manfredi the contracts to a proposed freeway system in exchange for some men to help them move the bomb. Manfredi insisted upon Chadwick using his influence to ensure that his name did not end up in the newspaper ever again before he became distracted by speaking to his bodyguard about Frost's beauty. Frost was at first confused and made awkward by the comments but when the man said she was beautiful, Manfredi began beating him mercilessly while Frost watched in horror, with Manfredi claiming the man was undressing her with his eyes. When he was finished beating the man, he and Frost completed their deal.

Searching for the Bomb
"I'm sorry Agent Carter, not everyone's cut out for Hollywood."

- Whitney Frost to Peggy Carter

With Joseph Manfredi's men by their side, Frost and Calvin Chadwick arrived at the Roxxon Oil Corporation building which housed the Atomic Bomb Frost needed to recreate the experiment which first discovered the Zero Matter. Once they arrived they began searching through the hallways and killing the guards they encountered. Although all the doors were strangely unlocked upon their arrival, the group struggled to find the bomb, angering Frost who berated her husband for the lack of success. While arguing with Chadwick in private, Frost was confronted by Peggy Carter, who said she was not getting the bomb and told her that the Zero Matter was affecting her mind, promising that the SSR could help her recover. Frost claimed that she did not wish to be fixed and attacked Carter, attempting to absorb her with the Zero Matter. Carter ducked and hit Frost in the jaw; Frost discovered she had gained a stronger resistance to pain. A message on the radio came through for Carter to inform her that the bomb had been deactivated, Frost responded by grabbing her arm in an attempt to kill her. Carter managed to free herself by head butting and kicking Frost back, but accidentally fell backwards off a ledge. Frost saw that Carter was holding on by one hand above a large drop and steel rods. Mocking Carter by telling her that not everyone was cut out for Hollywood, Frost tried to touch her skin only for Carter to let herself fall, impaling herself on the steel rod below. As Frost looked at her enemy lying in agony, Chadwick ordered her to escape the facility while Daniel Sousa ran to Carter's aid. Returning to the Chadwick Residence, Frost advised Chadwick to call Hugh Jones and explain the situation so they would be able to gain more uranium to complete their experiment. Chadwick, however, furiously refused, accusing his wife of risking his life and getting him involved with dangerous mobsters and putting him at the mercy of the Council of Nine. When Chadwick told her that she was out of control Frost lost her temper and grabbed him by the face, threatening to kill him, telling him to watch his tone of voice.

Meeting the Council
In the aftermath of the Infiltration into the Roxxon Warehouse, Frost began having a nervous breakdown, muttering random works to herself in the Chadwick Residence. She was interrupted by Calvin Chadwick who asked if she was okay but she furiously claimed that she was not. Chadwick explained that he had arranged for the Council of Nine to meet with her to discuss the Zero Matter. Frost was amazed by the news as she was aware that the Council rarely met with outsiders and thanked Chadwick for the chance.

Personality
"Because I'm thinking."

- Agnes Cully

The woman who would later be called Whitney Frost is always thinking, calculating, studying. Finding herself able to make household repairs at a young age, Agnes Cully experimented in electronics and constantly hoped to improve even her own repairs.

Though her mother discouraged her, telling her that her looks would be more helpful, Cully continued to develop her intellect, but used her beauty as a secondary option to get what she desired. By always studying and memorizing, acting became easy and Frost grew famous. Frost learned to turn that skill to her advantage and could manipulate powerful men to do her bidding. She was able to garner a favor from Joseph Manfredi after not speaking to him for over ten years.

Frost is ambitious, but knows when to forego a photo-opportunity when something more important is at hand.

Powers
"I thought that would hurt more."
 * Darkforce Manipulation: Whitney Frost obtained Darkforce-related powers after being caught an explosion caused by Zero Matter samples in Isodyne Energy's possession. When the emotional level of Whitney Frost is heightened through anger or fear, she gains the ability to transform a living thing into Darkforce and absorb it into her body, which extends a scar on her forehead. Kenneth was transformed and absorbed due to fear, while a rat who bit her and Rufus Hunt were changed because of anger.

- Whitney Frost


 * Superhuman Durability: As a side effect of absorbing large quantities of Darkforce, Frost possesses superhuman durability. She was able to withstand severe strikes by Peggy Carter, feeling little pain and experiencing practically no physical damage from the altercation.

Abilities
"So she's a genius." "I'm a genius. Whitney Frost…She defies categorization."

- Peggy Carter and Jason Wilkes


 * Genius Level Intellect: At a young age, Agnes Cully developed skills in electronics. During World War II, she designed a machine that could output ten times the energy produced by the fast-neutron reactor.
 * Master Scientist: Frost used her scientific genius to make Isodyne Energy prominent, but due to the sexism of the 1940s, allowed her husband Calvin Chadwick, to be named its owner. Frost experimented to gain control over her powers to use them intentionally, instead of accidentally.

Family

 * Richard Cully - Father
 * Wilma Cully - Mother
 * Calvin Chadwick † - Husband

Allies

 * Joseph Manfredi - Former Lover
 * Ned Silver
 * Council of Nine
 * Edwin Jarvis
 * Mabel - Maid

Enemies

 * Bud Schultz - Mother's Lover
 * Kenneth † - Accidental Victim
 * Peggy Carter
 * Jane Scott †
 * Andrew Henry †
 * Jason Wilkes
 * Rufus Hunt † - Ally turned Victim

Video Game Only

 * Luchino Nefaria - Father
 * Maggia - Allies
 * Marc Scarlotti/Blacklash
 * Tony Stark/Iron Man - Former Lover turned Enemy

Appearances
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" width="100%" ! Appearances for Whitney Frost
 * Agent Carter
 * Season Two
 * The Lady in the Lake
 * A View in the Dark
 * Better Angels
 * Smoke & Mirrors
 * The Atomic Job
 * Life of the Party
 * Monsters
 * The Edge of Mystery
 * A Little Song and Dance
 * Hollywood Ending
 * A Little Song and Dance
 * Hollywood Ending

Non-canon Appearances

 * Iron Man: The Price of Doing Business (mentioned)
 * Iron Man (video game)
 * }

Trivia

 * In the comics, Whitney Frost (birth name Giuletta Nefaria) is known as Madame Masque. She is one of Iron Man's enemies and is the daughter of known Maggia leader Count Luchino Nefaria. She wears a golden mask to cover the facial scars that she gained from an airplane crash.
 * Most of the movies where Frost starred are references to the comics version of the character:
 * "The Woman with the Golden Mask" is a reference to her signature mask in the comics.
 * "Tales of Suspense" is a reference to the where she first appeared.
 * "The Nefarious Daughter" is a reference to her birth name, Giuletta Nefaria, and being the daughter of Count Nefaria.
 * In the non-canon video game Iron Man, Madame Masque is known by the names Whitney Nefaria and Whitney Frost. She is a former lover of Tony Stark and a high-ranking member of the Maggia.

Behind the Scenes

 * Agent Carter executive producers Tara Butters and Chris Dingess have stated that this version of Whitney Frost is inspired by, who was a 1940s actress and a scientific genius.
 * When Everett first auditioned for the role, she was told the name of the character was an actress named Wendy Fallon. She later acknowledged her character's real name and found out about her comic book's backstory.
 * Whitney Frost is the first villain in Agent Carter to possess actual superpowers.