Los Angeles — The sun was beginning to set over the sprawling city of Los Angeles, casting long shadows over its busy streets. Somewhere in the quieter corners of this metropolis, Kathryn Hahn sat with someone she never thought she’d meet: a real-life modern witch. “The White Witch of Los Angeles,” Hahn called her, a woman more attuned to the Earth than to the chaos of everyday life. The experience changed her. It was, after all, just a part of her preparation to step into the shoes of Agatha Harkness—Marvel’s newest heroine—or maybe, anti-heroine, as we’re about to discover.
As Agatha’s solo series, Agatha: Who Else but Agatha?, debuts on Disney+, we’re witnessing a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It’s a story not of caped heroes or invincible shields but of witches, ancient power, and misunderstood strength. And Kathryn Hahn, much like the character she portrays, is at the heart of it.
Agatha Harkness: Witch Long Before Heroes Wore Capes
It’s hard to imagine a Marvel series without its signature superheroes swooping in to save the day. Yet, in Agatha: Who Else but Agatha?, Marvel takes a deliberate step away from its classic formula. There are no Tony Starks, no Captain Americas—but there’s magic, age-old fears, and a feminist rebirth of sorts.
Agatha Harkness is no stranger to the world of Marvel. She’s existed in the comic books for decades, often as a supporting character, most notably as a mentor to Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. But this series elevates her beyond her secondary role. In a way, it feels like the series is reclaiming something lost—a power that existed long before men in tights dominated the skies.
Much like the persecuted witches of old, Agatha, and those like her, have long been feared, misunderstood, and pushed to the edges of society. And Marvel’s choice to center its first witch-centric series on her feels not just like a nod to comic book fans but a reclamation of feminine power that has been long buried beneath centuries of misconceptions.
New Age for Marvel: The Evolution from Superheroes to Sorcery
As Kathryn Hahn explained in an interview, “A witch has been traditionally feared because she breaks the norms. She’s terrifying to the status quo.” And this is precisely the essence of Agatha: Who Else but Agatha?—it’s about challenging what we think we know, about women, about power, and about magic.
In a world where WandaVision introduced us to a suburban reality that wasn’t quite what it seemed, Agatha promises to dive deeper into the shadows. There’s magic that doesn’t glitter—it’s raw, sometimes messy, and deeply connected to nature. It’s the kind of magic that doesn’t come with a punchline or a CGI explosion. Instead, it feels ancient, simmering just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.
And perhaps that’s why this series is resonating with so many already. As WandaVision explored grief, Agatha promises to explore the idea of redemption—or the lack of it. Agatha Harkness isn’t your typical protagonist. She’s not always likable, and she certainly doesn’t fit into the hero box. But that’s exactly what makes her so fascinating.
Witches, Feminism, and the Power of Rebirth in Pop Culture
For centuries, witches have been the subject of fear. We burned them, silenced them, and painted them as villains in countless tales. But today’s pop culture is reclaiming them. Witches, once symbols of danger, now stand as icons of power, independence, and resistance. And Agatha: Who Else but Agatha? dives right into that cultural rebirth.
Hahn’s portrayal of Agatha Harkness, much like the modern witch she consulted with in Los Angeles, isn’t based on the clichés of black hats and broomsticks. Instead, it’s deeply rooted in something real—intuition, connection to the Earth, and a defiance against societal norms. And for the new generations growing up in a world still steeped in patriarchy, this depiction feels both timely and necessary.
Perhaps, it’s why Marvel’s choice to center its first female-led witch series on Disney+ feels like more than just entertainment. It’s a statement. It’s a declaration that power doesn’t have to come in a masculine, muscle-bound package. Sometimes, power is quiet, ancient, and carried by women who have been underestimated for far too long.
Kathryn Hahn’s Magical Transformation: The Actress Behind the Witch
Kathryn Hahn wasn’t always the actress you would associate with magic or Marvel. She’s played quirky best friends, lovable misfits, and has often flown under the radar in films like The Holiday and shows like Transparent. But something about her portrayal of Agatha Harkness in WandaVision struck a chord. And not just with audiences, but with Hahn herself.
“Honestly, I never saw myself in this kind of role,” Hahn admits. “I was the class clown in theater school, always in trouble for not taking things seriously. And then suddenly, here I am, in the MCU, as this powerful, ancient witch. It’s wild, really.”
What makes Hahn’s Agatha so special is how much depth she brings to the character. In WandaVision, she was a master manipulator, weaving in and out of Wanda’s carefully constructed world with ease. But in Agatha, we see a more vulnerable side. There’s a weight to her centuries-old existence, a loneliness that seeps through the cracks. And it’s Hahn’s ability to play with these layers—humor, power, sadness—that makes Agatha feel so human, even as she’s casting spells and manipulating the forces of the universe.
The Future of Marvel: Diversity, Queer Representation, and Women in Power
It’s impossible to talk about Agatha: Who Else but Agatha? without addressing the shift happening within Marvel. The series, much like its predecessors, champions diversity and inclusivity in ways that feel refreshing. Women lead, queer characters are front and center, and there’s a richness in the representation that goes beyond tokenism.
As Hahn herself notes, “We’re not just highlighting diversity for the sake of it. It’s woven into the fabric of the story. This is just who these characters are, and it’s part of what makes the series feel so real.”
Indeed, with actresses like Aubrey Plaza and Broadway icon Patti LuPone joining the cast, the show promises a rich tapestry of characters. But beyond that, it’s the women behind the camera who are shaping the narrative. With female directors and writers taking the reins, Agatha feels like a story that’s been told through a deeply feminine lens—one that understands the complexities of womanhood, power, and identity.
Conclusion: Agatha’s Redemption or Revolution?
There’s a question that lingers as the series unfolds—Is Agatha Harkness on a journey toward redemption, or is she simply embracing who she’s always been? The beauty of this new chapter in Marvel’s storytelling is that it doesn’t offer easy answers. It’s messy, magical, and, above all, human.
Agatha Harkness, like so many women in history, has been feared and misunderstood. But now, she’s stepping into her own story, on her own terms. And perhaps that’s the real magic here—not the spells or the ancient powers, but the reclamation of a voice that’s long been silenced.
So, as we sit in front of our screens, watching Agatha’s journey unfold, we’re reminded of something deeper: Sometimes, the most powerful stories aren’t about heroes at all. Sometimes, they’re about the witches who’ve been there all along.
