TV Review: ‘Agatha All Along’

Hahn stars as Agatha Harkness, who looks to reclaim her power after Wanda Maximoff removed them –– but it won’t be as easy as she hopes.

Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

Launching on Disney+ on Wednesday, September 18th with its first two episodes, ‘Agatha All Along’ looks to bring Marvel’s TV output back to a better level of success after some recent stumbles.

On the evidence of the first two episodes –– four were provided to the press, but we’ll refrain from going too deeply into the others since they’re further out from release –– the first spin-off from ‘WandaVision’ will be an intriguing, magical and sometimes musical ride anchored by an ever-fantastic Kathryn Hahn.

Does ‘Agatha All Along’ have the magic?

Hahn’s character, was, of course, the breakout star of ‘WandaVision’, a quirky best friend character later revealed –– spoiler alert in case you somehow skipped the show –– as a cackling witchy villain who had plans for Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) abilities. But her scheme backfired, and a resurgent, grief-powered Wanda left Agatha powerless and trapped in the fake town of Westview that the Scarlet Witch had created.

‘Agatha All Along’ (named for the song that so memorably –– and catchily –– framed everything the character had been up to) picks up the story by initially seeming to be channeling ‘WandaVision’s trick of riffing on old TV shows, as we’re re-introduced to Agatha, stuck as Agnes, now a weary detective investigating a murder. But all is still not what it seems, and soon she has shrugged off the major effects of the spell and sets out to reclaim her power.

Standing in her way? A rival from the past (played by Aubrey Plaza, who proves to be an excellent foil for Hahn) and a need to gather a new coven of witches in order to go on a quest for, if not redemption, then rejuvenation.

But far from copying ‘WandaVision’s template, ‘Agatha’ has its own compelling spell to cast.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Teen (Joe Locke), Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

Looking to take its TV development in a slightly new direction by having showrunners oversee more of the show than someone writing a script that a director runs with –– the difference between how TV has been run in the past and how Marvel made its movies –– this new effort is already bearing fruit. Jac Schaeffer, who created ‘WandaVision,’ is the primary guiding influence here, and she’s a sure hand as both a writer and one of the series’ directors.

She knows how to write for Hahn in particular and has created some other compelling characters that play well off of her.

And Schaeffer, alongside Gandja Monteiro and Rachel Goldberg bring a sometimes fizzy, sometimes dark look to the show, using effects sparingly and focusing on the characters. One or two shots aren’t perhaps up to the quality of everything else, but those are minor quibbles.

Performances

In other hands, this could simply have turned into "The Kathryn Hahn Show", but though she remains excellent as the title character, there are other performances that work.

Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness

Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2024 Marvel.

One of Hahn’s best roles, Agatha fits her like a glove, and the new show gives her full rein to explore new sides of the character. There are songs (though the series is not yet as musical as you might imagine given the presence of ‘Agatha All Along’ songwriters and Oscar winners Bobby and Kristen Anderson-Lopez behind the scenes) and real ideas surrounding the comedy.

Hahn is so watchable in the role, you can enjoy her doing anything, and here she has the chance to truly shine after stealing scenes before.

Joe Locke as Teen

Teen (Joe Locke) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

The ‘Heartstopper’ actor brings lots of charm to his mysterious role –– we don’t, for example, even know his name yet –– and he plays well amongst the more experienced members of the ensemble.

Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu

(L to R) Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

One of the witches that Agatha recruits, Broadway legend LuPone brings all of her performing power to bear on the quirky role of divination witch Lilia. She’s funny when she needs to be, and it’s a pleasure to see her in this particular ensemble.

Aubrey Plaza as Rio

Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2024 Marvel.

Clearly an old enemy (but perhaps something more) for Agatha, Rio is introduced threatening her, but takes on a more interesting aspect that we won’t explore for now. All you really need to know is this gives Plaza the chance to be snarky, scheming and genuinely hilarious in places.

Other Notable Characters

(L to R) Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata) and Ali Ahn (Alice Wu-Gulliver) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

Other witches include healer/potions witch Jennifer Kale, played by Sasheer Zamata and the haunted Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), both of whom add comic sparkle and some sorrow to their roles. There isn’t a weak link in the bunch, up to and including the return of “Mrs. Hart” (Debra Jo Rupp), who is at pains to point out her real name when the need arises. Rupp really adapts to fill her expanded role, and she’s a delight.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Teen (Joe Locke) and Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel.

Some fans of the MCU might churlishly want to think that ‘Agatha All Along’ isn’t connected to the wider cinematic universe enough to warrant the full Marvel treatment, but that’s a feature rather than a bug. And keep your ears peeled even in the early going for some comic book easter eggs that may well pay off down the line.

It has scary moments, a healthy well of emotions and plenty of laughs too. Agatha’s mission to gather her new coven for a mission –– call it “Potion’s Eleven” –– is an entertaining story with some hefty themes of how women have been treated through the centuries stirred into its bubbling cauldron, making for satisfying brew.

‘Agatha All Along’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

What’s the story of ‘Agatha All Along’?

The infamous Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen (Joe Locke) helps break her free from a distorted spell.

Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road…