Recently, Marvel dropped a trailer for the long-awaited Agatha Harkness series. The show is created by Jac Schaeffer who has worked on other Marvel projects like Black Widow and Captain Marvel. The series is meant to serve as a spin-off to WandaVision, focusing on Harkness’ life after being trapped under Wanda Maximoff’s spell. Kathryn Hahn is returning to reprise her role. Joining her for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, and Joe Locke.
Who is Agatha Harkness?
In 2021, WandaVision was released on Disney+ and took the world by storm. The series followed Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and how she grieves after the death of her lover, Vision (Paul Bettany). To cope, Wanda uses her powers to place a hex on the entire town of Westview, New Jersey. In this fictional world she’s created, she and Vision are a happily married couple with two boys who live out their days in different sitcoms from various decades. As part of the hex, actual Westview citizens were trapped under Wanda’s spell. One of these people was none other than the nosy neighbor to Wanda and Vision, Agnes. By the end of the series, she is revealed as Agatha Harkness, a witch who is eager for Wanda’s powers.
After WandaVision premiered, it gained massive success. The series placed No. 6 on the Nielsen ratings, accumulating 434 minutes watched within three days of its release. The series was also nominated for numerous awards, raking in twenty-three Emmy nominations. It’s fair to say that WandaVision is a fan favorite.
Upon watching the series, fans took a liking to Agatha despite her antagonist role. The song sung by Agatha, “Agatha All Along,” went viral and hit the No. 1 spot on iTunes. She’s quirky and fun with an interesting backstory, dating her as a witch burned at the stake in Salem. Kathryn Hahn is exceptional on her own and amazed all in this role. She made Agatha a villain that you can’t hate and want to love. Due to the love and popularity of fans, Marvel announced that Agatha Harkness would be receiving her own series.
Trailer Release
After two years of development and several name changes, the Agatha All Along trailer was finally released on July 8th, 2024. The two-minute teaser opens with Harkness working as a detective. She’s still under Wanda Maximoff’s spell, but after a flashback of each WandaVision decade, she’s reminded of who she is. However, she’s seen without powers and wants to be who she was before Maximoff’s damage. In an effort to get her powers back, she goes on a journey to Witches’ Road with fellow witches.
The trailer contains a lot of dark, flashy visuals. The music is anticipating and suspenseful. The teaser is supernatural which is very fitting for its fall release. There are images of lighter witchery like riding on brooms, shimmers of power, and the classic cackle. The trailer also contains images of darker magic such as a Ouija board, post exorcist-like walking, and possible demons. Compared to WandaVision, this series seems a lot spookier, horror-like even. It seems as if Marvel is dipping its toe into the supernatural aspect of the franchise.
In true Marvel fashion, the trailer doesn’t give away much of the plot, but it does make fans curious and excited. For lovers of WandaVision, they’re excited to have Agatha back. As far as fans know, Agatha’s been under Wanda’s spell so audiences are eager to see what she’s been up to. It’s also refreshing to see a Marvel series focused on a female lead and a possible gay character portrayed by Joe Locke. However, this is also something that turns off some Marvel fans from the series. Some hold this belief that Marvel is going “woke,” so, some fans don’t react well to recent efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Circulating Theories
As part of Agatha’s detective duties, she comes across the dead body of a Jane Doe. The cause of death is blunt force trauma. The fingers are singed. The outfit is casual but familiar to Marvel fans. All of these signs point to where the franchise last left off with Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. So, the biggest question amongst fans is: Is the Scarlet Witch truly dead?
Many fans took to social media to express their sorrows over the potential death of Wanda Maximoff. They refuse to believe that she is potentially dead. The scene from the trailer that freaked people out the most was when Agatha views a card with various dates. Under October 13th, Wanda’s name is listed. Many assumed that this was a death confirmation, especially after seeing the body. However, fans zoomed in a little closer and realized her name is actually listed on a New Jersey Public Library card. This leads many to believe she’s alive, but Marvel has not confirmed or denied the possible death of the Scarlet Witch.
Another question amongst fans is regarding the identity of Joe Locke’s character. When googling the series, the name of the character is listed as ‘Wiccan.’ However, when searching further, he’s actually playing somebody by the name of Billy Kaplan. His character is described as a suspicious teen who helps Agatha break from Wanda’s spell and asks her to take him on the journey to Witches’ Road. Why is he so suspicious? The theory is that Wiccan’s true identity as Billy Kaplan will be a big reveal in the series because he is Wanda Maximoff’s son. Marvel has obviously neither confirmed nor denied this theory, but fans believe it to be true.
Closing Thoughts
Personally, I’m excited for Agatha All Along to come out. My viewing of WandaVision put me on to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I loved the character of Agatha, and I was ecstatic to learn about this spin-off series. Like a lot of fans, I can’t wait to see what is in store for Agatha Harkness.
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along will premiere on September 18th, 2024 on Disney+.
