Agatha All Along: How the Spin-Off Differs from WandaVision

Although Agatha All Along is a spin-off, showrunner Jac Schaeffer wanted to ensure it felt different from WandaVision.

First announced during Disney+ Day in 2021, the spin-off’s title changed several times before settling on Agatha All Along in May. At first, details were scarce, but we knew Jac Schaeffer would return as showrunner and executive producer.

The last time fans saw Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness, she was trapped by Wanda Maximoff in her own mind. However, the first trailer for Agatha All Along reveals that Aubrey Plaza’s character, Rio, frees Agatha, leading her to embark on the Witch’s Road.

How Agatha All Along Stands Out from WandaVision

In a recent interview with D23 magazine, Jac Schaeffer discussed what makes Agatha All Along unique. She explained that the show aims to “subvert fans’ expectations” about what an Agatha-centric series would be like. Unlike WandaVision, which was a “prescriptive, regimented pastiche of TV history,” this spin-off will “play with genre” in a more expansive way.

“We want all the genres, all the tones. This is a spin-off of WandaVision, but we aren’t sticking to a strict format. We’re exploring different genres and even venturing into other worlds.”

Schaeffer also explored Agatha’s character depth, noting that during WandaVision, Agatha craved “a sense of community and sisterhood” with Wanda. This desire was not purely villainous; Agatha was searching for others like her who had a deep curiosity and love for magic:

“Agatha wanted more than just power; she was looking for a community. She’s intrigued by other magical beings. Kathryn Hahn can be ferocious, but she also brings warmth and complexity to Agatha, which is fascinating to watch.”

Schaeffer emphasized her intent to write to the strengths of the actors, just as she did with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in WandaVision. She brought this same focus to Kathryn Hahn for this movie:

“When writing WandaVision, I focused on Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany’s strengths and what they wanted for their characters. I did the same for Kathryn Hahn, channeling our passion and narrative focus for Agatha.”

What Horror Elements Might Agatha All Along Explore?

While this movie won’t explore TV history like WandaVision, it will experiment with genres, potentially delving into horror. The trailer hints at various horror elements, including a demon and a scene reminiscent of The Exorcist. The Witch’s Road is described as a test of their magical abilities and worst fears, suggesting each episode could tackle a different horror genre.

The trailer also shows different costumes and settings, like those from The Wizard of Oz and 1970s disco. This further supports the idea that each episode could explore different genres and themes, horror or otherwise.