In an exclusive interview with ETimes, producer Mary Livanos offers an in-depth look at the highly anticipated show, which blends elements of horror, comedy, mystery, and music.Livanos discusses the series’ evolution from its initial concept to its upcoming release, revealing how it maintains its original vision while exploring Agatha Harkness’s expanding role in the Multiverse Saga.
Livanos also addresses the challenges of creating a show centred on one of Marvel’s most enigmatic characters and explores the rich world of magic and witches. She teases potential connections to the broader MCU and hints at whether Agatha All Along might set the stage for major future films and the surprises that await…
‘Agatha All Along’ has elements of horror, comedy, mystery and some music, what can you tell us about backing this series despite its long journey from conception to release? Is it the same show that it set out to be?
I can tell you that this show and the title of this show was always ‘Agatha All Along’. And like you said, the show has comedy, it has horror, it has musical moments. It has many, many different tones like ‘WandaVision’ had. But we’ve also said throughout the making of the show that the tone of the show is also Catherine Hahn. She’s able to give you every shade of the rainbow. And, I think what that makes for this journey, is just a really incredible and fun and surprising ride.
Agatha was last seen in ‘WandaVision’ as a friend and perceived antagonist. Is this show her redemption story or is it her villain story?
I think this show is a bit of redemption, a bit more of her villain story. I think Agatha Harkness is an infamous witch and probably many of the things that she’s done cannot be redeemed. But what I can say is that we learn much, much more about her over the course of the show. You know, she’s a liar by nature. So she keeps a lot close to the vest. But with each new episode, we learn a little bit more about exactly who Agatha is. And that will keep fans surprised and guessing throughout.
There has been a lot of chatter online that Doctor Strange is the only primary character as far as Marvel’s mystical realm is concerned. Will, Agatha open the doorways into this world?
Well, we’ve had just the most fun working in this space. It’s not just an expansion of the sort of ‘WandaVision’ corner of the MCU, but we get to learn much more about magic and focus in on witches and how they function. I certainly think there’s more opportunity moving forward. I think fans will really love our characters. We have the most incredible performances. And I think there’s much more story to tell.
This show has one of the catchiest songs and tunes.The last time there was any music in the MCU was in ‘The Marvels’. What do you say about, possible comparisons to the upcoming ‘Joker 2’, which is also a musical?
Wow. I’m a huge Gaga fan, so very honored for the comparisons there. It’s been a blast working with music film and television. It’s not a space I ever imagined I would be working so often with. But especially after the events of ‘WandaVision’ and creating that show and working with Botheby and Kristen Anderson Lopez, we were really determined to find a way to work with them yet again. And all during development, Jack just kept wrapping her head around and around how exactly that could take place. And what resulted was The Ballad of the Witch’s Road. Which is quite central to the narrative of our story. It’s performed in many different ways and holds a lot of meaning for our journey. So exactly what that all means and how that plays out, I’m excited for people to see.
The series ‘Loki’ played a big part in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ and ‘WandaVision’ had a major role in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. Can you confirm if ‘Agatha All Along’ stitches together will provide a launchpad for some movie in the Multiverse Saga?
For that I think you have to ask the man in the hat (Kevin Feige). But we’re just really excited and thrilled with where this story takes us and how it might play out in future instalments. It’s a wonderful story in and of itself and just a really beautiful tale. And I hope fans enjoy enjoying this entirely original story all about Agatha.
In ‘Agatha All Along’, the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road…
Starring Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Okwui Okpokwasili, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone and Aubrey Plaza, the series debuts on Disney+ Hotstar on September 18, 2024. Season 1 will have nine episodes. Following the two-episode premiere, one episode will be released every Wednesday until the season finale on November 6.
