Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) received for her series debut in WandaVision, Agatha: Coven of Chaos needs to hit all the right notes for Marvel and non-Marvel fans alike. When Agnes first quipped her way onto the Disney Plus series, she was just the friendly neighbor of former Avengers Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). She could be a bit overbearing, but always had a joke and a hand to spare. Audiences were shocked when Marvel revealed her true identity in a song that was as catchy as it was cheeky: “It was Agatha all along!”
Fans heard Hahn’s cackle, saw the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, and decided they needed more of her on their screens. The outpouring of love sent the Wicked Witch of Westview practically flying into her own series. This wouldn’t be the first time Marvel gave a lesser-known character their very own spotlight, but a great response can easily turn cold if the material doesn’t give the fans what they need. Fortunately, the new Agatha series can brew up something magical as long as it follows the recipe of engaging characters, campy stories with heart, and a pinch of fashion to pull it all together.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos Needs a Spellbound Audience
To say the cast of Agatha: Coven of Chaos is star-studded would be an understatement. Marvel Studios is pulling out all the stops and sparing no expense. That ‘70s Show alum Debra Jo Rupp was recently confirmed as returning as one of the many poor, unfortunate souls that got caught up in Wanda’s transition from redeemed hero to reluctant villain. Other cast members include Sasheer Zamata, Eric André, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, and Joe Locke.
However, these characters are just making their MCU debut, and it’s not enough that they’re played by recognizable industry talent. They have to capture the audience’s attention and keep them hooked on their every word, something Marvel showed they excel in with the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The Agatha series can’t afford for these characters to not be instantly endearing. Otherwise, Kevin Feige will just have another Eternals situation on his hands where the most outspoken fans share nothing but negativity and anyone who had considered watching promptly tunes into something else. That was bad enough the first time around. In this case, no one needs a sequel.
Marvel Must Bewitch the Hearts of MCU Fans
Showrunner Jac Schaeffer has already proven her mettle when it comes to telling zany stories with heart. WandaVision was at once a poignant look at overcoming grief and a series of events so whacky it was hard to keep track of what was even going on half the time. Agatha: Coven of Chaos takes the titular character from the sidelines of hilarious hijinks to the very center of them for nine episodes with a runtime of about 40 minutes each.
Turns out, the biggest shoes that the Agatha series has to fill are its own as it lives up to the increasing amount of hype surrounding it with every news release. So, the Agatha series needs to provide a strong story amongst the chaos, it has to evoke deep emotion or risk losing its audience. Bonus points if it can help fans understand how it fits into the larger MCU picture being painted in the newest phase of the franchise. Disney Plus is obviously pulling out all the stops for its newest series and it’ll do so marvelously as long as it can stick the landing with its underlying messages.
The Agatha Series Needs Serious Style
One thing fans don’t need to worry about is the fashion choices of Agatha: Coven of Chaos. Recent pop culture has set a precedent when it comes to well-dressed witches, especially when the color black is involved. Disney pioneered this trend by fearlessly putting its villains in tight corsets, long flowing capes, and a variety of outlandish colors. With Costume Designer Daniel Selon (Thor: Love and Thunder, WandaVision) leading the way, the Agatha series honestly couldn’t be in more qualified hands. Fans got a sneak peek of what to expect while watching the Wicked Witch of Westview float around in something fans might’ve seen Maleficent wear in Sleeping Beauty.
While it's unclear just what exactly Selon has in mind for others like Aubrey Plaza’s villainous character, using clothing to signal different beats in the story would elevate it for the audience. It’s not a coincidence that Agatha’s persistent use of purple eventually signaled to the more die-hard Marvel fans just what exactly might be in store for everyone’s second favorite witch. More of that consistency and attention to detail will ensure perfection for Agatha & Co.
Marvel only has one shot to get this right. The creators of the Agatha series have got all the elements to make it outstanding, but they can easily fumble the bag if they don’t play their cards right. They certainly aren’t going the safe route of giving fans exactly what they expect. In fact, Broadway legend Patti LuPone confirmed that Agatha: Coven of Chaos will be a musical. It’s a risky move, but perhaps the surprise success of Agatha’s impromptu theme song has made them confident that audiences will pick up the eccentric ideas they’re putting down.
After all, “It was Agatha all along!” was so iconic it had fans asking, “When will we get more of her?” Turning the Agatha series into a musical is also a great way to utilize Hahn’s impressive physicality and how she uses it to tell a forward-moving story (like the dramatic return that revealed what really happened to Sparky). It helps that Rogers: The Musical was such a hit with Hawkeye viewers that it was performed at D23 and will soon be added to the roster of Disneyland attractions. The point is, having a great cast isn’t enough – even if it includes Isabelle Fuhrman (The Orphan). Marvel has to step up its game and let Agatha shine to the best of her ability or her entire storyline will be cursed.