| Agatha Harkness | |
|---|---|
| Marvel Cinematic Universe character | |
 Agatha Harkness as portrayed byKathryn Hahn inAgatha All Along episode "Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate" (2024). | |
| First appearance | |
| Based on | |
| Adapted by | Jac Schaeffer |
| Portrayed by | Kathryn Hahn |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Witch |
| Weapon | Dark magic |
| Family | Evanora Harkness (mother) |
| Significantother | Death (ex-lover) |
| Children | Nicholas Scratch (son) |
| Origin | Salem, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
Agatha Harkness is a character portrayed byKathryn Hahn in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)media franchise based on theMarvel Comics characterof the same name. Harkness is depicted as a powerful witch who has long dabbled indark magic. After murdering her original coven and failing to prevent the death of her sonNicholas Scratch, Harkness spends centuries as a conwoman, using "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" to lure in gullible witches and siphon their powers.
Most recently, Harkness infiltrates theWestview anomaly and inserts herself intoWanda Maximoff's life in hopes of unraveling the mystery of her reality-warping abilities. Once her intentions are uncovered, Harkness battles Maximoff and is trapped in a spell that overrides her identity. She spends three years in Westview playing the part of a harmless, nosy neighbor, untilBilly Maximoff breaks her out of the spell. With theSalem Seven and her ex-loverDeath chasing after her, Harkness forms a coven of troubled witches and sets out on theWitches' Road in search of power. Having survived the Road's trials, Harkness and Billy Maximoff face Death in battle, with Harkness sacrificing herself to save Maximoff's life. She returns as a ghost to guide Maximoff on his quest to find his twin brotherTommy.
The character made her debut in the 2021Disney+ miniseriesWandaVision, and has since appeared in itsspinoff,Agatha All Along (2024). An alternate version of Agatha Harkness appeared in thethird season of the animated seriesWhat If...? (2024). Hahn's portrayal of the character has received critical praise. She has earned several accolades for her performance, notably being nominated for aPrimetime Emmy Award in 2021 and aGolden Globe Award in 2024.
After being sentenced to death by her coven for practicingdark magic, Agatha Harkness murdered her fellow witches—including her mother,Evanora—in 1693. She absorbed their powers but spared their children, who later formed theSalem's Seven, a group that sought revenge against her. In 1750, Harkness had a son,Nicholas Scratch, who was fated to die at birth. Harkness negotiated with her loverDeath to extend Scratch's life. Over the next six years, Scratch traveled with his mother and reluctantly assisted her in luring witches to their deaths. Together, they created a song that gained popularity as a folk tune called "The Ballad of the Witches' Road". After Death claimed Scratch in 1756, Harkness maintained a centuries-long practice of deceiving witches with tales of theWitches' Road in order to drain their powers and kill them.
Harkness was allegedly present at several major historical events in the 20th century, including the sinking of theTitanic in 1912 and theHindenburg disaster in 1937. In the 1920s, Harkness lived inBoston where she sold spells for financial gain. By the 1970s, she had relocated toNashville, where she crossed paths withDolly Parton. Parton slapped her, an event that was caught on camera and inspired the song "Jolene".
In late 2023, Harkness is drawn to the anomaly ofWestview, New Jersey. Intrigued byWanda Maximoff's ability to alter reality, she infiltrates the Hex and, unaffected by its properties, adopts the persona of "Agnes," a nosy neighbor. Harkness inserts herself into Maximoff's life to investigate the source of her powers. She assists Maximoff with household tasks, introduces her to the local planning committee, and attends the Westview Talent Show. She influences situations to raise suspicion about newcomer Geraldine (Monica Rambeau) and later controls the mind of local actorRalph Bohner to impersonate Maximoff's deceased brother,Pietro. Harkness is involved in looking after Maximoff's children,Tommy andBilly, while also manipulating circumstances to make Maximoff andVision uncertain of their reality.
She eventually reveals her true identity and tricks Maximoff into showing her how she created the Westview anomaly by forcing her to recall the past. Using theDarkhold's power, Harkness demonstrates her own magical abilities and tries to extract the source of Maximoff's power,chaos magic, while holding Maximoff's children captive. In their final confrontation, Maximoff overwhelms Harkness by using runes to limit her magic. Maximoff then traps Harkness in her "Agnes" persona and leaves her in Westview as a powerless, harmless neighbor.
For three years, Harkness remains in Westview under Maximoff's spell as Agnes O'Connor. After Maximoff's death in 2024, O'Connor takes on a detective persona to investigate a mysterious corpse found in town. She is forced to collaborate withFBI agentRio Vidal—an old acquaintance. O'Connor apprehends a teenage boy for attempted robbery, but his cryptic answers lead her to question her environment. She later visits the coroner's office and, with Vidal's help, identifies the victim's name to be "W. Maximoff". O'Connor recalls her true identity when she sees her own name on the victim's toe tag next to Maximoff's.
After breaking free from Maximoff's spell, Harkness finds herself without magic. She is confronted by Vidal, who vows to disclose Harkness' location to the Salem Seven. Intrigued by the Teen she apprehended, Harkness agrees to guide him down the Witches' Road—a dangerous path of magical trials that bestows great rewards on those who survive. In order to access the Road, Harkness and Teen set out to gather a coven. Using persuasion, threats and appeals, the two recruitLilia Calderu, a divination witch,Jennifer Kale, a potions witch whose magic is bound, andAlice Wu-Gulliver, a blood witch. The coven's final member isSharon Davis, a local gardener with no magical abilities. When the witches fail to access the Road, Harkness attempts to draw them into conflict in order to steal their power. The Road opens unexpectedly with Teen’s arrival, and Harkness follows the group through the gate to escape the Salem Seven.
Harkness and her coven emerge onto the Witches' Road, where they must face trials themed around diverse branches of witchcraft. The coven enters a coastal house, unknowingly drinking from a poisoned bottle of wine. As they brew an antidote, Harkness hallucinates a crib containing theDarkhold. She helps spur Kale into finishing the antidote at the critical moment. Upon returning to the Road, Harkness and the coven discover that Mrs. Davis is dead.
The witches call upon a replacement green witch. To Harkness' dismay, Vidal raises from Mrs. Davis' grave. At a recording studio tied to Lorna Wu—a famous witch musician and Wu-Gulliver's late mother—Vidal approaches Harkness and they flirtatiously discuss betraying the group. The coven is attacked by Wu-Gulliver's generational curse. Harkness deduces that Wu's renowned cover of "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" carries protective magic. To destroy the curse, the witches play Wu's version of the Ballad, with Harkness fronting the group. On the Road, Kale successfully tends to Teen’s injuries and Harkness oversees his recovery. The two discuss his sigil, but Harkness refuses to engage in conversation about her son Nicholas Scratch. Vidal approaches Harkness privately, but when Harkness attempts to kiss her, Vidal stops her, cautioning that Teen is not hers.
As the Salem Seven close in, Harkness leads the coven in an attempt to flee on makeshift flying broomsticks. They enter a forest cabin, where Vidal recognizes that the trial is designed for Harkness. The witches use aOuija board to contact the dead. Harkness is possessed by the spirit of her mother Evanora Harkness, whom she murdered. Wu-Gulliver intervenes, successfully expelling the ghost. Harkness seizes the opportunity to absorb Wu-Gulliver's power, killing her. Following a violent argument with Teen, Harkness deduces that he isBilly Maximoff, Wanda Maximoff's reincarnated son.
Upon entering a castle, Harkness and Maximoff are faced with atarot reading table for their next trial. As they attempt to read for each other, a sword drops from the ceiling every time they draw the wrong card. Calderu and Kale join them, and, during Calderu's reading for the coven, Harkness' card is revealed to be theThree of Swords—depicting grief, betrayal and heartbreak. Vidal is exposed as the personification ofDeath and Harkness' ex-lover.
Following the divination trial, Harkness strikes a deal with Death, guaranteeing Billy Maximoff’s surrender in return for Death’s promise to never seek her out again. As Harkness rejoins Maximoff and Kale, the trio are transported to the final trial, where they must cultivate a plant within a time limit. It is revealed that Harkness was responsible for binding Kale’s magic. She aids Maximoff in locating his twin brother’s soul and transferring it into the body of a drowning boy. Acknowledging her grief over her son's death, Harkness completes the trial by herself and escapes the Road.
Harkness reappears in her backyard in Westview, still without magical powers. Death confronts her for rejecting her affection and failing to deliver Billy Maximoff. Maximoff comes to Harkness' rescue, letting Harkness siphon some of his magic to restore hers. Harkness battles Death but soon accepts the futility of it. Death demands that one of them accompany her, and Maximoff volunteers. Harkness agrees to let him proceed, but Maximoff infiltrates her mind to ask if her son met a similar demise. In a change of heart, Harkness kisses Death and dies, with flowers growing where her body fell.
Following her death, Harkness manifests as a ghost in Maximoff’s room, revealing that his magic created the Road—a fact she had always known. Maximoff returns to Westview and attempts to banish Harkness to the afterlife, but changes his mind when she admits she isn't ready to face her son, whom Maximoff reminds her of. Maximoff agrees to work alongside Harkness, sealing the Witches' Road's entrance as they begin their search for his reincarnated brother.
An alternate version of Harkness is depicted in thethird season of the animated seriesWhat If...? (2024), also voiced byKathryn Hahn.
In an alternate version of the 1930s, actress Agatha Harkness devises a plan to stealTiamut's energy. To carry out the required ritual, she stars inHoward Stark's production and eventually persuades co-starKingo to help prevent the Emergence. Harkness taps into Kingo's energy to siphon Tiamut's power, transforming herself into a godlike being.Arishem arrives to confront her, but Harkness traps him with a rune and absorbs his power. With Arishem gone, Harkness reveals her true plan: to use her newfoundCelestial power to dominate the world. Kingo convinces her otherwise, appealing to her love of fame and the transformative power of cinema. At the premiere of their film, Harkness and Kingo discuss their vision to inspire humanity, while Kingo expresses concern that other Celestials may react to the news of Arishem's death.
In the comics,Agatha Harknessfirst appeared inFantastic Four #94 (October 1969)[1] asFranklin Richards's governess and an ally to theFantastic Four.[2] She mentoredScarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff in the ways of magic,[3] and it was later revealed that she is the mother of warlockNicholas Scratch and the grandmother of theSalem's Seven. She has also been a member of theDaughters of Liberty. Originally depicted as an elderly woman, Harkness was able to rejuvenate and enhance her power.[4]
The character made her MCU debut in the 2021Disney+ miniseriesWandaVision.Kathryn Hahn's casting in the role of "Agnes", Wanda and Vision's neighbor, was announced atDisney's biennialD23 Expo convention in August 2019.[5][6] Hahn was informed about her character's true identity from the beginning, a revelation that occurs in episode 7, "Breaking the Fourth Wall".[7]Head writerJac Schaeffer explained the decision to introduce Agatha Harkness was made due to herMarvel Comics connection toWanda Maximoff's stories.[8] In the early stages of the show's development, Harkness was envisioned as a mentor to Maximoff, closely mirroring hercomics counterpart. However, Schaeffer realized that making her a trueantagonist would better fit the structure of the show. The idea of Harkness seeking Maximoff’s powers to resurrect her mother was considered, but ultimately not included. When Harkness was still planned to be Maximoff’s mentor, she was set to teach Maximoff a binding spell that would be used in the final episode during her farewell toVision. By the end ofWandaVision, Harkness is defeated by Maximoff and trapped in a spell suppressing her identity.[9][10]
Following the conclusion of her character's story inWandaVision, Hahn signed an overall deal withMarvel Studios to reprise her role in multiple projects.[11] Aspinoff ofWandaVision focusing on Agatha Harkness was announced to be in the works by October 2021, with the project undergoing several title changes as part of a marketing strategy until eventually being revealed asAgatha All Along, based on theWandaVisionsong of the same name.[12] The miniseries was released onDisney+ from September 18 to October 30 and told the story of Agatha Harkness and Maximoff's reincarnated sonBilly as the two assemble a coven to go down theWitches' Road.[13] Having sacrificed herself to save Billy Maximoff, Harkness is transformed into a ghost by the series' conclusion.[14]
What I see is someone grieving. She can't get full. She can't fill herself up, and so she's just eating and eating and eating. [...] I was really enchanted with the idea that Agatha's truth, and her true pain, was very human and very pedestrian.
Preparing for her role inWandaVision,Kathryn Hahn researched her character'scomics counterpart. Hahn imagined Harkness "really enjoyed sticking around and being in these sitcoms", and portrayed her relationship withWanda Maximoff as a witch who has been "flying around for a couple of centuries without a coven" and "would love to have a friend for a second". Hahn called Harkness' real persona "very done-up and very big", and felt her character had a "restless" quality as she studied Maximoff.[16]
When continuing the character's story inAgatha All Along,showrunnerJac Schaeffer and Hahn deemed it important to maintain her "acerbic, sarcastic, self-involved" demeanor while placing her in a position where she begrudgingly needs a community.[17] Schaeffer has described Agatha Harkness as a "frustrated, mean mentor" whose best self emerges when teaching others.[18]: 5:00 Hahn refers to her character as "the ultimateconartist" and "a blooming onion, because there's so many layers that are yet to be peeled".[19] It was decided early into development forAgatha All Along that Harkness would not have a redemption arc. Following the series' conclusion, Schaeffer commented, "I do think we witness change in this woman, but she's not a good guy at the end of the show, and I don't think she ever will be."[20] Schaeffer intended Harkness' past withNicholas Scratch to serve as an emotional core for the character and be representative of "her truth". Schaeffer maintained that Harkness would "understand the permanence of his [Nicholas'] death" and subvert the villain trope of being motivated by a desire to resurrect a loved one.[15] Harkness' relationship withDeath stemmed from a natural discussion about the kind of character Harkness would be drawn to and who would, in turn, be drawn to her. Schaeffer described their dynamic as reflecting Harkness' attraction to power and her desire to be challenged, serving as a metaphor for her complex and enduring relationship with the concept of death.[18]: 6:28 [21] Addressing the character's sexuality, Hahn remarked: "I don't think you can put Agatha in a box".[22]
In the MCU, Agatha Harkness possessed a range of magical abilities prior to being trapped under theScarlet Witch's spell. She wieldeddark magic and was able to absorb life force energy and power from others, as seen in the trial flashback inWandaVision and her centuries-longWitches' Road con inAgatha All Along. Most of her magical prowess is displayed duringWandaVision episodes "Previously On" and "The Series Finale" when she faces Wanda Maximoff, and inAgatha All Along episode "Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End" when she battlesDeath. Harkness casts binding runes that disable other witches' magic within her controlled space, and creates illusions to deceive others, such as transforming herself into a 1950s, black-and-white look to blend in with Maximoff's Hex upon arriving inWestview. She influences and manipulates memories, emotions, and perceptions, as she does extracting Maximoff's memories. She demonstrates the ability to alter the form of objects, transforming a cicada into a bird in "Previously On", and takes control ofRalph Bohner's mind in "Breaking the Fourth Wall", forcing him to play the part ofPietro Maximoff. In her battles against Maximoff in "The Series Finale" and Death in "Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End", Harkness levitates, manipulates objects with her magic, and generates magical energy, often displayed as purple-hued blasts or shields. Having studied theDarkhold, Harkness possesses knowledge of ancient and forbidden magic. In addition to being able to look inside and manipulate other people's minds, Harkness can also guard her own against psionic intrusions from the likes of Wanda andBilly Maximoff. She incapacitatedJennifer Kale's magical abilities in the 1900s through a binding spell. Harkness has a longer lifespan than the average human, with flashbacks of her past set as early as 1693. As a ghost, Harkness is initially incapable of interacting with physical objects, but is able to pick up her brooch within minutes.[23][24][25]
Agatha Harkness in the MCU has had a distinctly villainous depiction compared to hercomic book counterpart, who is an ally to theFantastic Four and a long-term mentor toWanda Maximoff.[26] Originally intended to align with herMarvel Comics role as a magical teacher,Jac Schaeffer pivoted the character to avillain to serve as a foil for Maximoff.[9] By the end ofAgatha All Along, the character references her comics version more extensively as she transforms into a ghost and guides Maximoff's son,Billy, on his journey.[15]
Portrayed byKathryn Hahn, Harkness' physical appearance in the MCU is aged-down in comparison to the comics prior to her revival and the restoration of her youthful look. At the end ofAgatha All Along, she adopts some of the comic character's significant design traits, such as atranslucent look, white hair and a purple gown.[27] While both versions of the character possess extensive magical knowledge, Harkness' power in the MCU revolves around siphoning other witches' energy. She is also a known practitioner ofdark magic, and wielded theDarkhold before losing it to Maximoff.[24] Instead of a black cat called Ebony,[26] Harkness' MCU familiar is a bunny named Señor Scratchy.[28] Harkness' sonNicholas Scratch, a villainous character in the comics,[26] has not been introduced as an adult into the MCU, having died as a child.[15] Harkness' connection to theSalem Seven is reimagined, shifting from being their grandmother[26] to having killed their mothers, who were once part of her former coven.[29]: 2:47 Harkness' quest on theWitches' Road draws inspiration from Wanda Maximoff's journey in the comics, where Harkness appears as her guide.[30]
Unlike her comic books counterpart, Harkness in the MCU is often associated with musical numbers, including "Agatha All Along" inWandaVision,[31] multiple performances of "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" inAgatha All Along,[32][33][34] and aswing dance number in thethird season ofWhat If...?.[35]
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InWandaVision, Agatha Harkness was celebrated for her comedic timing and her subsequent transition into a genuine threat for the character ofWanda Maximoff.[36][37][38][39][40] Her theme song, "Agatha All Along", wentviral after appearing in "Breaking the Fourth Wall",[41] peaking at number one oniTunes' Soundtrack chart, reaching fifth on iTunes' Top 100 singles chart,[42] and debuted onBillboard'sDigital Song Sales chart at number 36.[43] It also earned thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and was nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.[44][45]
Following the conclusion ofAgatha All Along, critics appreciated the character for presenting a more vulnerable side without overriding her dark nature. Jean Henegan ofPop Culture Maniacs celebrated the Harkness-centric miniseries for "letting her [Harkness] simply be the morally bankrupt character we loved fromWandaVision – just with much more personally at stake this time around."[46] Caroline Framke ofVulture praised Harkness' depiction, writing, "[She] was not a good person, but she is a great character."[47]CBR's Joshua M. Patton concluded that avoiding a redemption arc for Harkness allowed her to become "more human and sympathetic" without compromising her villainy, which he described as "the best choice for a villain-focused series like this."[48] The character has garnered praise fromqueer critics and theLGBTQ+ community following her relationship withDeath inAgatha All Along.[49][50][51][15]
Hahn's portrayal of Agatha Harkness has been critically acclaimed. She is one of three actors to receive aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination for their work on an MCU project, and one of four actors to receive aGolden Globe Award nomination.[52][53] In 2021, critics praised her portrayal of Harkness' reveal inWandaVision, concluding, "Hahn looms large and seriously in charge of her craft".[54] Writing forTell-Tale TV in 2024, Mufsin Mahbub stated thatAgatha All Along "does well in showcasing Hahn's ability to play this role and why audiences have been captivated by her mischievous character" as Hahn "continues to own the role [...] with her quippy dialogue and deliciously devilish persona".[55] Taylor Gates ofCollider praised Hahn's performance inAgatha All Along, writing: "Hahn continues to one-up herself every week with the range of emotions this part demands her to play — not to mention the speed this show asks her to toggle between them."[56] ReviewingAgatha All Along's conclusion, Alan French ofSunshine State Cineplex summarized Hahn's portrayal of Agatha Harkness as "stunning" and "providing an excellent coda to the virtuosic [...] episodes she already delivered".[57]
For portraying the character inWandaVision episode "The Series Finale", Hahn was namedTVLine's Performer of the Week on March 6, 2021. The website's commentary reads, "Agatha's cruel power was made clear through Hahn's acting choices, like the way her eyes lit up just before her old coven turned on Wanda, or the pleasure she took in revealing that the Hex couldn't actually be fixed with a new spell. Plus, that witchy cackle of hers? Top-notch."[58] For her work onAgatha All Along's fifth episode, "Darkest Hour / Wake Thy Power", Hahn was a featured performer once again, this time as an honorable mention for the week ending October 12, 2024. Rebecca Iannucci commented that "Kathryn Hahn has one of the most formidable acting ranges in the business" and commended her for "her comedy chops [...]and her subtle dramatic skill".[59] The publication went on to include Hahn among their 20 finalists forPerformer of the Year in December 2024, with R. I. praising her "delicate moments: her hints of genuine longing for Vidal; the glimpses of grief over her son's death; and her surprising — ill-advised, even! — protectiveness over Teen".[60] In 2024, Agatha Harkness andBilly Maximoff were amongTVLine's "Top 20 Non-Romantic TV Duos" of 2024. Harkness and Vidal's fight scene inAgatha All Along episode "Seekest Thou the Road" was featured as one of the website's "20 Sexiest Scenes" of the year.[61][62]
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