This article contains spoilers for Agatha All Along.
Despite Kathryn Hahn’s scene-stealing turn as mischievous witch Agatha Harkness in Marvel’s WandaVision, many fans were initially a little surprised that the purple-loving, Sparky-killing character would be receiving her own spin-off show, in the form of Agatha All Along. But the nine-part series turned out to be one of 2024’s most pleasant televisual surprises – a fabulously spooky, campy creation that revelled in its witchy world-building, saw chemistry crackle between her and actual Death herself, Rio (played by Aubrey Plaza), introduced Heartstopper star Joe Locke as the new embodiment of one of Wanda Maximoff’s thought-to-be-gone twin sons, Billy, and sent the MCU down a whole new road.
It also did a lot of work in fleshing out Agatha’s backstory, revealing that the show’s pivotal signature song, ‘The Ballad Of The Witches’ Road’, was actually created by her back in the 1700s, as part of a long con to lure in fellow witches and steal their power. “It was my hope that where we were going with the show was to an emotional truth for Agatha that was very private and very intimate,” showrunner Jac Schaeffer tells Empire in our latest issue, on sale now. “Where I started with Agatha on this show is, ‘Agatha is a liar. What is her truth?’”
Where Agatha ended up, though, is – SPOILER ALERT – dead, removed from this mortal plane at the hands of a kiss with Death, but still present in Billy’s life as a ghost. “We knew from the very beginning that Agatha would end as a ghost,” Schaeffer explains. “She’s a terrific ghost. It felt very correct to do that.” But that doesn’t mean she’s some kind of fairy-ghostly godmother, now. There have been flurries of online rumours recently that Agatha might return for a Season 2 – not officially confirmed by Marvel in any capacity – but if we do ever see that witch again, we can still expect some wickedness. “I do think we witness change in this woman,” Schaeffer says, “but she’s not a good guy at the end of the show, and I don’t think she ever will be.” Quick, hide your pets!
Read our full interview with Jac Schaeffer, digging into the entirety of Agatha All Along, in Empire’s world-exclusive new Captain America: Brave New World issue, on sale now. Order a copy online here. Agatha All Along is streaming on Disney+ now.