Agatha Harkness returns: A deep dive into ‘Agatha All Along’
Spoiler Alert: This article contains significant plot details from the first two episodes of “Agatha All Along,” now streaming on Disney+.
The magic behind the scenes
Following the phenomenal success of “WandaVision” in 2021, creator Jac Schaeffer found herself irresistibly drawn back to the world she had crafted, particularly to the character of Agatha Harkness. Played with devilish charm by Kathryn Hahn, Agatha’s attempt to usurp the Scarlet Witch’s power left a lasting impression on fans and creators alike.
Schaeffer admits, “Everything I developed, I was like, ‘And then in Episode 5, they have to go to Westview for whatever reason, and this is where they run into Agatha.’ I just couldn’t stop. I love that world.” This persistent fascination eventually led to the birth of “Agatha All Along,” a series dedicated to the enigmatic witch.
A new chapter in Westview
The two-episode premiere of “Agatha All Along” opens with Agatha still ensnared by the spell cast by Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) at the end of “WandaVision.” Trapped in the guise of Agnes, the nosy neighbor, Agatha now finds herself in a new role as a hardened police detective, reminiscent of characters from shows like “Mare of Easttown.” The show even features faux opening credits for “Agnes of Westview,” setting the stage for a gripping murder mystery involving a Jane Doe who bears a striking resemblance to Wanda.
Agatha’s liberation from the spell comes through the intervention of another witch, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), and a mysterious teenager known only as Teen (Joe Locke). Rio harbors a deep-seated grudge against Agatha, while Teen, an ardent Agatha fan, seeks her help to find the Witches’ Road—a mystical realm where magical beings can fulfill their deepest desires. For both Teen and Agatha, this quest is about reclaiming lost power.
Forming a coven
To navigate the treacherous path to the Witches’ Road, Agatha and Teen assemble a motley crew of witches: Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), a divination witch; Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), a potions witch; Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), a protections witch; and Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp), a Westview resident with a green thumb, known from “WandaVision” as Mrs. Hart. This eclectic coven must endure a series of life-or-death trials, testing their witchcraft and resolve.
A blend of genres
Schaeffer’s original pitch for “WandaVision” included a desire to create a “CSI” episode, evoking the classic TV police procedural. Although this idea was shelved in favor of a family sitcom structure, it found new life in “Agatha All Along.” Schaeffer explains, “I think that’s what ‘WandaVision’ fans love, that fully immersed feeling inside of something that’s so familiar and dear to them.”
By opening “Agatha All Along” in the guise of a true-crime drama, Schaeffer places the audience inside Agatha’s dark and twisted perspective. “Agatha delights in seeing darkness in others, in seeing people be selfish and self-serving and nefarious,” she says. “So I believe that she would love the true crime genre—not as a viewer, but because I think she would think it points to the ugliness in people.”
Unmasking Agatha
The show’s writers faced the challenge of exploring Agatha’s character beyond her initial appearance in “WandaVision.” Schaeffer reflects, “What is under the layers? It is a constant performance, so the arc of the show is, what’s under the mask?”
Without a dedicated comic book series to draw from, the writers had the freedom to invent new storylines. They initially pursued one narrative path but had to abandon it due to constraints within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ultimately, they decided to focus on witchcraft, leading to the concept of Agatha forming a coven and embarking on a perilous journey along the Witches’ Road.
Embracing the witchy world
Much like “WandaVision” celebrated and deconstructed sitcoms, “Agatha All Along” delves into the world of witches. Schaeffer notes, “With ‘WandaVision,’ we were at once celebrating and picking apart sitcoms for the fact that it’s fraudulent—but also delighting in how cozy they are. In ‘Agatha,’ we’re doing that with the notion of a witch. There’s so much power, but there’s a lot of silliness and a lot of terrible traumatic history. As the show goes on, we unpack that further.”
A spellbinding journey
“Agatha All Along” promises to be a captivating exploration of one of Marvel’s most intriguing characters. With its blend of genres, rich character development, and a touch of dark humor, the series is set to enchant both new viewers and longtime fans of the Marvel Universe.
For those eager to dive into the world of Agatha Harkness, the first two episodes are now available for streaming on Disney+. And for a sneak peek, check out the Agatha All Along trailer.
Personal Reflections: As a fan of both “WandaVision” and the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe, I find the concept of “Agatha All Along” incredibly exciting. The character of Agatha Harkness, with her blend of malevolence and charm, offers a rich vein of storytelling potential. The decision to frame the series within the true-crime genre adds a fresh and intriguing twist, promising a unique viewing experience. I can’t wait to see how the series unfolds and what secrets lie beneath Agatha’s many layers.# A fresh take on ‘Agatha All Along’: A blend of horror, humor, and fantasy
A director’s dream come true
Although Schaeffer’s career as a writer has flourished, she always had her eyes set on directing. “It’s what I went to film school for. I started writing so that I would have something to direct,” she shares. This dream finally materialized with the series ‘Agatha All Along’, where she took on directing duties for the first, second, and seventh episodes.
Matt Shakman, who directed all episodes of ‘WandaVision’ and is currently helming the 2025 feature film ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, set a high bar. Schaeffer recalls the moment she told Kathryn Hahn about her directing role. “We were out to dinner, and she started talking about directors, and I was like, ‘Um, Kathryn, I think I’m gonna direct.’ She was, mercifully, so excited. And it really felt like a rocket launch in that moment.”
Crafting a unique visual style
On ‘WandaVision’, Schaeffer knew the show would either draw from the visual tropes of family sitcoms or exist in the familiar Marvel universe. However, ‘Agatha All Along’ required a brand new look, blending horror, humor, and fantasy. “Obviously, it’s a horror show, but it’s not a terrifying show,” she explains. “There are allusions to ‘Suspiria’, ‘The Exorcist’, and ‘Poltergeist’, but it’s still a comedy and it’s still Marvel.”
Schaeffer’s biggest inspiration was George Miller’s 1987 horror comedy ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer. “The witches always look big. The camera’s a little low, and they kind of loom,” she says. “There was this largeness that I was interested in getting, that both conveys a little bit of camp, and also the bigness of these women.”
The mystery of Teen’s identity
In Episode 2 of ‘Agatha All Along’, Agatha discovers she cannot learn Teen’s real identity. When he says his name, his mouth is covered by a swooping black line, and his voice becomes inaudible when he talks about where he’s from. “I don’t like hiding things from the audience, just to then be, like, ‘Boo!'” Schaeffer says. “There’s no artistry to that. So when we talked about obscuring who he is, the first question is, why? What is the utility of that? The answer is, it’s about the effect that his mystery has on Agatha. What does that do to her? How does it motivate her? How does it hit her emotionally?”
The mystery of Teen’s identity has captivated Marvel fans, especially after one of the ‘Agatha All Along’ trailers included the shot of Teen’s mouth getting obscured. Fans have started to populate the internet with speculation, attempting to interpret the movement of Locke’s cheeks and chin to suss out Teen’s real name. Schaeffer laughs when asked if this speculation will bear any fruit. “This is what I would say: That’s not the first place I’d look,” she says. “It’s not entirely irrelevant: But there are other places to look.”
Navigating fan expectations
Schaeffer is no stranger to rampant fan theorizing. By its final episodes, ‘WandaVision’ spawned a small cottage industry of fevered conjecture about what surprises could be in store. “It still stops my heart,” Schaeffer says. “My preoccupation is maximum viewer enjoyment, so I get nervous when people get ahead of it. I have to trust that humans are capable of deciding what kind of experience they want. But I comfort myself with the knowledge that it’s a circuitous path, and I hope that that path is enjoyable.”
She sighs, “It makes me a little heartsick when I catch reactions of people who were ultimately disappointed by things. It gets to me a little bit. But in approaching ‘Agatha’, it was not front of mind. I really can’t control that. That’s a level of fandom that is beyond my reach.”
Directing legends: Patti LuPone
When it came to casting the show, one name seemed completely out of reach: the multiple Tony-award-winning Broadway diva, Patti LuPone. “Someone who had worked with her before was like, ‘Oh no, she’d do it,'” Schaeffer says. “We were like, ‘What?’ And then suddenly I was on a Zoom with her, and I was like, ‘This [character] is an ancient Sicilian witch.’ And she was like, ‘I am an ancient Sicilian witch.’ And I was like, ‘I believe you.'”
Once LuPone’s deal was done, Schaeffer faced a daunting reality: “I said to my husband, ‘How do I direct Patti LuPone?!’ And he was like, ‘You don’t have to. That’s the point.'” To Schaeffer’s delight, she found that LuPone loves direction. “She shows up and she’s like, ‘I am your tool. I am your vessel.'” But LuPone also helped shape the show for the better. For example, in the climactic scene in Episode 2, when Agatha’s coven must sing ‘The Ballad of the Witches’ Road’ in Agatha’s basement to conjure the titular realm, LuPone’s input was invaluable.
“I had designed that sequence a year prior,” Schaeffer says. “I knew exactly how I wanted it to go. We get there, and Patti was like, ‘Well, there would be vulnerability, right? Because this is a big deal for them. They’re putting themselves out there.’ At first, I was like, ‘Well, no, because they’re all badasses, and they need to really sing out.’ Then I was like, ‘Oh my God, she’s totally right.’ And that informed everyone. Everybody came to it with their own baggage.”
One moment in particular still takes Schaeffer’s breath away, when Ahn — whose character’s mother was a famous witch — delivers a powerful performance that encapsulates the vulnerability and strength of the coven.
A new chapter in the Marvel universe
‘Agatha All Along’ is a testament to Schaeffer’s vision and dedication. By blending horror, humor, and fantasy, she has created a unique addition to the Marvel universe that stands out for its originality and depth. For fans of cinema, TV series, and music, this show offers a rich tapestry of storytelling, visual artistry, and unforgettable performances.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Agatha All Along.
Keywords: Agatha All Along, Marvel, horror, humor, fantasy, directing, Patti LuPone, Teen’s identity, fan expectations, WandaVision, George Miller, The Witches of Eastwick# A tearful performance: The magic of cinema and TV
In the world of cinema and TV, moments of raw emotion can transform a scene from ordinary to extraordinary. One such instance occurred during the filming of a poignant ballad by a ’70s rock star, who unexpectedly shed a tear, laden with mascara, during a close-up performance. This spontaneous display of emotion left the crew in awe, highlighting the unpredictable beauty of filmmaking.
Capturing the moment
“When that happened, we were all behind the monitor, and everybody gasped,” recalls the director. “Then we were like, ‘Wipe it away! Wipe it away, Ali!’ Because we had shot so much of her already that if we didn’t get her wiping it, the continuity would be all off. Not only did she wipe it away, but she did it with shame. It’s so beautiful.”
This anecdote underscores the delicate balance between authenticity and continuity in film production. The tear, though unplanned, added a layer of depth to the character’s performance, making the scene more impactful.
The power of music in storytelling
Music has always played a crucial role in enhancing the emotional resonance of a scene. The ballad in question, originally a wildly popular pop hit, served as the perfect backdrop for this tearful moment. The song’s lyrics and melody complemented the character’s emotional journey, creating a powerful synergy between audio and visual elements.
For those interested in experiencing the magic firsthand, you can watch the trailer for the movie here.
The art of continuity
Continuity is a fundamental aspect of filmmaking that ensures a seamless viewing experience. It involves maintaining consistency in various elements such as costumes, props, and even the actors’ movements. In this case, the director’s quick thinking to have the actress wipe away her tear preserved the scene’s continuity without sacrificing its emotional impact.
Personal reflections on cinema and TV
As a cinema and TV enthusiast, I find moments like these to be the essence of storytelling. They remind us that behind every polished scene lies a series of decisions, both planned and spontaneous, that shape the final product. The tearful performance not only added authenticity to the character but also showcased the actress’s ability to convey deep emotions.
Exploring more emotional performances
For those who appreciate the intersection of music and film, there are numerous other examples where a song elevates a scene to new heights. Consider the hauntingly beautiful performance in the series here, where the protagonist’s rendition of a classic tune leaves a lasting impression.
The impact of music on our lives
Music has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to sorrow. It can transport us to different times and places, making us feel connected to the characters on screen. The ballad performed by the ’70s rock star is a testament to this power, as it resonated with both the character and the audience.
For those interested in exploring more music that has made a significant impact on cinema and TV, check out the album here.
Final thoughts
In the ever-evolving world of cinema and TV, moments of genuine emotion are what make stories memorable. The tearful performance by the ’70s rock star is a perfect example of how a single, unplanned moment can elevate a scene and leave a lasting impression on the audience. As viewers, we are fortunate to witness these instances of raw emotion that remind us of the beauty and complexity of storytelling.
For more insights and trailers, visit Movie Title Name and Series Title Name. To explore the music that enhances these cinematic experiences, check out Album Name.