Marvel Studios is gearing up to celebrate the spooky season once again with Agatha All Along, a horror-themed spin-off from Wandavision. This new Disney+ series will start streaming on September 19, with two episodes released first, followed by weekly episodes until October 30.
Development for the series began in late 2021, after Kathryn Hahn’s memorable introduction as Agnes in Wandavision. Agnes, originally portrayed as a friendly neighbor, was later revealed to be Agatha Harkness, a powerful witch.
The series had several title changes, starting from Agatha: House of Harkness to Darkhold Diaries, before settling on its current title, referencing the popular song from Wandavision.
Agatha All Along aims to dive deeper into the supernatural themes in Marvel and is seen as part of a trilogy for Wanda and Vision. The first part was Wandavision, with Agatha All Along being the second, and an upcoming Vision series rounding out the trilogy.
The Story So Far
At the end of Wandavision, Agatha Harkness was trapped under a hex cast by Wanda, who had transformed into the Scarlet Witch. This new series will focus on the consequences of that spell, showing how Agatha struggles to reclaim her identity and magical powers.
Viewers can expect new magical characters to be introduced, and these characters will likely join forces with Agatha throughout her journey.
Before Agatha All Along hits Disney+, here’s a look at the witches and the talented cast who will bring them to life.
Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness
In Agatha All Along, Agatha escapes from the spell placed on her by Wanda at the end of Wandavision. Sadly, she finds out that she has lost her powers and must go on a dangerous journey known as the Witches Road, a path filled with trials that only those who survive can pass.
To regain her abilities, Agatha assembles a group of witches to form a coven. Throughout the series, Agatha’s mischievous and witty personality will remain a highlight as she interacts with this group of witches.
Fans go on a dangerous journey known as the Witches Road, a path filled with trials that only those who survive can pass. To regain her abilities, Agatha assembles a group of witches to form a coven.
Throughout the series, Agatha’s mischievous and witty personality will remain a highlight as she interacts with this group of witches. Fans of Wandavision go on a dangerous journey known as the Witches Road, a path filled with trials that only those who survive can pass.
To regain her abilities, Agatha assembles a group of witches to form a coven. Throughout the series, Agatha’s mischievous and witty personality will remain a highlight as she interacts with go on a dangerous journey known as the Witches Road, a path filled with trials that only those who survive can pass.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
To regain her abilities, Agatha assembles a group of witches to form a coven. Throughout the series, Agatha goes on a dangerous journey known as the Witches Road, a path filled with trials that only those who survive can pass. To regain her abilities, Agatha assembWandavision will recognize Hahn’s portrayal of the memorable antagonist.
Kathryn Hahn is reprising her role as Agatha Harkness, after becoming a fan-favourite in Wandavision. Hahn is a versatile actress, known for her comedic roles in films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Step Brothers, and Bad Moms.
She has also starred in several TV shows, including Parks and Recreation, Transparent, and Happyish. Beyond live-action performances, Hahn has lent her voice to animated projects, such as Hotel Transylvania, Central Park, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Joe Locke as the Teen
A new character, simply referred to as “the Teen,” joins Agatha’s coven, fascinated by witchcraft and her history. However, he is unable to reveal his real name due to a mysterious hex. Despite this, he is eager to learn everything about magic and accompany Agatha on her journey down the Witches Road.
There is speculation that the Teen might be Billy Kaplan, also known as Wiccan, a character from Marvel comics who is often depicted as the son of the Scarlet Witch. Whether this theory is true will be revealed in the series.
Joe Locke, who portrays the Teen, is best known for his role as Charlie Spring in the hit Netflix show Heartstopper. The third season of Heartstopper is set to release on October 3, while Agatha All Along continues airing on Disney+.
Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal
Aubrey Plaza plays Rio Vidal, an unpredictable and powerful witch known for her warrior skills. Often seen carrying a dagger, Rio is a wild card, and even Agatha has trouble figuring out what her next move will be. Plaza is known for her breakout role in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and her iconic portrayal of April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation.
Since then, she has built a diverse film career, appearing in indie hits like Safety Not Guaranteed and Emily the Criminal, as well as larger studio projects such as Operation Fortune and Megapolis.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
This will be Plaza’s second Marvel-related project after starring in the FX series Legion. Recently, she appeared in The White Lotus and the comedy My Old Ass.
Sasheer Zamata as Jennifer Kale
Jennifer Kale is a witch with extensive knowledge of alchemy and potions. She uses this magical expertise in her modern-day business as a beauty entrepreneur. Kale is sarcastic and reserved but eventually learns to trust and cooperate with the coven.
Sasheer Zamata, who portrays Kale, is an accomplished stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Zamata became widely known during her time on Saturday Night Live from 2014 to 2017. Since then, she has starred in TV shows like Corporate, Woke, and Home Economics, and has voiced characters in projects like Tuca & Bertie and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Ali Ahn as Alice Wu-Gulliver
Alice Wu-Gulliver specializes in protection magic, though her powers have been dormant for years. At first, Alice is hesitant to join Agatha’s coven, as she has tried to avoid the path of witchcraft her mother had chosen. However, she eventually embraces her abilities and contributes to the team.
Ali Ahn, the actress behind Alice, has appeared in various TV shows, such as White Collar and Ugly Betty, and independent films like Liberal Arts and Landline. Recently, she had roles in The Diplomat and Raising Dion.
Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu
Lilia Calderu is another witch joining Agatha’s coven, specializing in divination and often receiving visions. Her interpretations of these visions can range from being insightful to utterly confusing.
Lilia is played by the legendary Patti LuPone, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actress known for her Broadway roles in Evita, Les Misérables, and Company. LuPone has also appeared in films like Witness and Last Christmas, as well as TV shows such as Penny Dreadful and American Horror Story.
Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs Hart/Sharon
Debra Jo Rupp returns to her role as Mrs. Hart, or Sharon, from Wandavision. She is one of Wanda and Agatha’s neighbours in Westview and becomes a civilian ally to Agatha after she breaks free from the spell.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
Rupp is best known for her long-running role as Kitty Forman in That ’70s Show and its revival, That ’90s Show. She has also appeared in other comedy shows like Friends and Better With You.
Okwui Okpokwasili as Vertigo
Vertigo is the leader of the Salem Seven, another coven of witches. In the comics, the Salem Seven are descendants of Agatha Harkness and have a contentious relationship with her, as she once stole their powers.
Whether this storyline will play out in the series is yet to be seen, but a showdown between the two covens is highly likely. Okwui Okpokwasili, who portrays Vertigo, is a talented dancer and actress who has appeared in The Exorcist: Believer and The Blacklist.
Agatha All Along premieres on Disney+ on September 18, 2024.
The first season of the upcoming Ryan Murphy-produced series, FX American Sports Story, dramatizes the life of Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL star. He was convicted of first-degree murder and suspected of a double homicide. Tragically, he took his own life in prison in 2017.
The series, premiering on September 17, brings attention to one of the most shocking stories in sports this century.
Over a decade after the murder of Odin Lloyd, more details about Hernandez’s life have emerged. Before American Sports Story, Hernandez’s life was shown in the 2020 Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Makers shows in the Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez.
This documentary examines various aspects of Hernandez’s life, including his abusive childhood, struggles with repressed sexuality, and the immense pressure of professional football. Documentaries often bring more clarity to these complex stories than dramatizations.
What Happened to Aaron Hernandez?
Netflix has many true crime documentaries. This genre has grown in popularity over the last ten years and has become a key feature in Netflix’s offerings. Directed by Geno McDermott, Killer Inside combines true crime and sports, a field Netflix has been expanding into.
Aaron Hernandez, a tight end for the New England Patriots, seemed to have it all. Drafted in the fourth round out of the University of Florida at the age of 20, Hernandez quickly proved to be one of the best players in his position.
He played with stars like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. In 2012, after scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl, he earned a $39 million contract extension, which included a $12.5 million signing bonus. This was the largest signing bonus ever received by an NFL tight end.
But this seemingly perfect life fell apart. In June 2013, Hernandez was arrested for the murder of his friend, Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating Hernandez’s fiancée’s sister. Hernandez had previously faced behavioral issues off the field, but no one could have predicted this.
After his arrest, police found a silver SUV linking Hernandez to an unsolved 2012 double homicide in Boston, meaning he played an entire NFL season after allegedly killing two people.
Still from Killer Inside The Mind of Aaron Hernandez (Credit: Netflix)
He was eventually acquitted of the double murder, but a few days later, while serving his sentence for Lloyd’s murder, Hernandez was found dead in his cell. Rather than focusing on the trial, Killer Inside digs deeper into Hernandez’s life, trying to understand what led him to commit such terrible crimes.
Hernandez’s Troubled Background
The Netflix series sheds light on aspects of Hernandez’s life that the Patriots’ scouts and front office may have missed when evaluating his character and criminal history.
Hernandez grew up in Bristol, Connecticut, in a sports-focused family led by his father, Dennis, a former football player with abusive tendencies. From a young age, Hernandez witnessed frequent fights between his parents, which often turned violent.
Beneath his cheerful and likable exterior, Hernandez harbored deep psychological wounds and showed paranoid tendencies. He reacted violently if he felt threatened. Throughout his football career, he carried the weight of living a double life.
He couldn’t show vulnerability due to the tough demands of professional football. The documentary uses phone conversations between Hernandez and his fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins, to highlight his deep insecurities.
Hernandez’s downfall became even more shocking because so much about his background remained hidden. After his 2013 arrest, the Patriots distanced themselves from him.
Coach Bill Belichick instructed players not to speak about Hernandez, and the team offered refunds to fans who had bought Hernandez jerseys.
It seemed like no one wanted to discuss what had led Hernandez to such a tragic end. Although the documentary is sometimes overly analytical, it sheds light on hidden parts of Hernandez’s life that contributed to his downfall.
As a child, Hernandez faced constant pressure to excel in sports, made worse by his father’s drunken outbursts. His decisions, especially regarding college, also hurt his well-being.
Instead of following the expected path of attending the University of Connecticut, Hernandez graduated high school early to play for the University of Florida, a top football school led by coach Urban Meyer. Immature and unprepared for college life, Hernandez got involved with the wrong crowd.
Still from Killer Inside The Mind of Aaron Hernandez (Credit: Netflix)
While in Florida, he faced a felony battery charge for a bar fight and was suspected in a separate shooting. Along with these incidents and failed drug tests, Hernandez’s draft stock fell, causing him to be selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft. It seemed that perhaps the Patriots, known for their professionalism, could help Hernandez turn his personal life around.
Complex Issues Behind ‘Killer Inside’
Killer Inside addresses two important aspects of Hernandez’s life: his possible sexual repression and brain damage. Dennis Sansoucie, Hernandez’s high school quarterback, claims he had a sexual relationship with Hernandez starting in seventh grade and continuing through high school.
After Hernandez’s trial, rumors about his sexual orientation began to spread, with some speculating that Hernandez took his own life after being outed on a Boston radio show.
The documentary avoids disrespectful discussions about Hernandez’s alleged homosexuality while acknowledging its impact on his mental health. Repressed feelings of homosexuality are often linked to the hypermasculine culture surrounding football.
The NFL has faced many controversies, but none have been as damaging as the issue of player safety and concussions. Some viewers might feel that Killer Inside unfairly blames the NFL’s safety policies for Hernandez’s actions, as the documentary emphasizes the severe brain damage Hernandez suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
This is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries. While some moments in the documentary may seem exaggerated, it asks viewers to consider all external factors without excusing Hernandez’s crimes.
The NFL has tried to downplay the long-term effects of head injuries, but Killer Inside pushes for accountability. It highlights the dangers of head trauma and its possible impact on Hernandez’s violent behavior.
Killer Inside tells the tragic story of Aaron Hernandez’s life, from his troubled childhood to his death in prison. While Hernandez never reached the same level of fame as O.J. Simpson, their stories share similarities beyond just their football careers.
Like Simpson, Hernandez’s story is a powerful example of a life that fell apart in a public way. In 2012, after signing his big contract, Hernandez donated $50,000 to charity in honor of Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s late wife. Kraft and the Patriots had considered Hernandez part of their family, but less than three years later, Kraft gave damaging testimony at Hernandez’s trial.
The Netflix series provides a detailed view of Hernandez’s life, even though it doesn’t give a clear answer to why he became a murderer. Sometimes, the most tragic stories don’t have easy explanations.
Still from Killer Inside The Mind of Aaron Hernandez (Credit: Netflix)
The upcoming series FX American Sports Story shows the dramatic life of Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL star convicted of first-degree murder and suspected of another double homicide before his suicide in 2017. Premiering on September 17, the series highlights the shocking events surrounding Hernandez’s downfall.
Before this, Netflix’s Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez examined his troubled life, including an abusive childhood and struggles with repressed sexuality.
The documentary also discussed Hernandez’s severe brain damage from head injuries. Both the series and documentary reveal the complexities behind Hernandez’s tragic story, challenging viewers to understand his actions.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
