Marvel TV Chief Hints at ‘Scary,’ ‘Dramatic’ Agatha All Along Show

Marvel Studios’ head of television and animation, Brad Winderbaum, recently shared updates on the upcoming “WandaVision” spinoff series, “Agatha All Along,” starring Kathryn Hahn, during an appearance on the Official Marvel Podcast.

Winderbaum revealed that while “Agatha All Along” will include fun elements, it’s designed to scare viewers as well. “Agatha is really fun, but it’s really scary. And it gets quite dramatic,” he said, emphasizing the unique blend of thrills and emotional depth the series aims to deliver.

Describing the show’s tone, he added, “She’s an amazing anti-hero. It lures you in with the fun of Halloween, and before you know it, you’re crying.” He elaborated that it’s a distinctly “Marvel brand of scary,” highlighting its Halloween-centric themes. “These are deadly stakes in the series. It’s a fun ride, but it’s a dangerous one,” he cautioned.

Hahn is set to reprise her Emmy-nominated role as Agatha Harkness, a character she portrayed in “WandaVision.” Though specific plot details remain under wraps, the series will feature Joe Locke, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Emma Caulfield-Ford, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and Debra Jo Rupp. Locke will play Billy, Wanda and Vision’s son, also known as Wiccan, while LuPone stars as Lilian Calderu, a 450-year-old Sicilian witch. Caulfield-Ford and Rupp will return as Westview neighbors Dottie and Mrs. Hart from “WandaVision,” and Plaza plays the new Marvel character Rio Vidal.

The storyline is set to explore the aftermath of “WandaVision,” where Agatha was left powerless by the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen. The show is helmed by “WandaVision” showrunner Jac Schaeffer, ensuring continuity and consistency in storytelling.

Hahn has mentioned that the show will use minimal CGI, while LuPone remarked that the set resembles “a $100 million movie,” suggesting high production values for the series.

The eight-episode series, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 5, has seen multiple name changes throughout its development. Initially titled “Agatha: House of Harkness,” it was later renamed “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.” Another title, “Agatha: Coven of Chaos,” was also considered, along with the tongue-in-cheek “Agatha: The Lying Witch With Great Wardrobe,” before settling on “Agatha All Along.”

Each title held significance. The initial name referred to Agatha’s family name, Harkness. The second title referenced the Darkhold, also known as the Book of Sins, the Book of Spells, or the Book of the Damned, which contained dark magic based on ancient carvings by Chthon, the first demon predicting the Scarlet Witch’s arrival. In “WandaVision,” Agatha brought the Darkhold to Westview to enhance her powers. Wanda later seized it, leading to significant events, including her encounter with the Masters of the Mystic Arts in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Ultimately, Wanda broke free from the book’s influence, using her powers to destroy it and all its copies.

The final title, “Agatha All Along,” references a song performed by Hahn in the seventh episode of “WandaVision,” titled “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” highlighting the character’s impact on the series.

“Agatha All Along” is scheduled for a two-episode premiere on Disney+ on September 18.

Source: Marvel Podcast