‘Agatha All Along’ Sets Kathryn Hahn’s Beguiling Witch on a New Quest — With a Catchy New Song

Kathryn Hahn arrives to the "Agatha All Along" premiere at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA, 16 September 2024. (EPA)
Kathryn Hahn arrives to the "Agatha All Along" premiere at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA, 16 September 2024. (EPA)
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‘Agatha All Along’ Sets Kathryn Hahn’s Beguiling Witch on a New Quest — With a Catchy New Song

Kathryn Hahn arrives to the "Agatha All Along" premiere at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA, 16 September 2024. (EPA)
Kathryn Hahn arrives to the "Agatha All Along" premiere at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA, 16 September 2024. (EPA)

As she reprises her role as the witch everyone loves to hate, Kathryn Hahn says it “makes total sense” she's continuing the story.

The “Agatha All Along” star, who first introduced Agatha Harkness to the world in the hit 2021 Marvel series “WandaVision,” said the rich complexity of her character excites her.

“It’s so juicy. You can see her as a simple bad witch, but she’s not. No one is bad,” Hahn said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “There’s always something that they’re covering up that they put all these levels on top of, so the fun was trying to keep the mask on with all these meteors of truth banging at that core.”

The Marvel Television series, which premieres Wednesday on Disney+, picks up after “WandaVision” as Agatha forms a makeshift coven to travel down the mythical Witches’ Road on a quest to regain her powers. Although Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch captured Agatha’s magic in “WandaVision,” Hahn said she has felt empowered by the role.

A symbol that has become a crucial part of her character is the Neopagan triple goddess — the maiden, mother and crone as depicted on a brooch Agatha wears in both shows. Hahn says those symbols of transformation in the female life cycle have been reflected in her own life.

“I did feel, walking into this, like I was going to be walking through a portal into my crone area, whatever that means, and it did feel very powerful to feel wise while walking through this journey as a woman,” Hahn said.

Beyond references to Neopaganism, Wiccan culture and other witchy motifs, “Agatha All Along” is ripe with allusions. Several films, television shows, musical groups and more permeate the show’s otherwise spooky aesthetic, but none appear more prominently than “The Wizard of Oz.”

Jac Schaeffer, the series’ head writer, director and executive producer who also created and wrote “WandaVision,” said the 1939 film felt like a natural touchstone. “We’re in the land of witches,” she said.

“Early on, it was clear that it needed to be a quest structure. And for me, the movies of my childhood that I love so much are all quests,” Schaeffer said. “Once we were sort of locked into that as the structure, it was like, ‘How many allusions can we bring in and what makes sense and what’s delightful, what’s witchy enough for us?’”

Schaeffer said the series also alludes to Fleetwood Mac, Kate Winslet in the gritty crime drama “Mare of Easttown” and “Big Little Lies,” which she described as a “prestige lady drama soap” where everyone has “sweaters and good hair.” She also said the group on that show, led by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, are a coven in their own right.

The references work because Agatha is “such a performer,” Hahn said — and perform she does. In addition to borrowing from “WandaVision’s” propensity for allusions and replicating aesthetics, “Agatha All Along” also features another catchy tune the cast sings throughout the series.

Hahn, along with the ensemble cast including Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn and Debra Jo Rupp, sing a memorable song that opens a door to The Witches’ Road. Emmy-winning songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who also wrote the viral sensation “Agatha All Along” song for “WandaVision,” penned the tune.

Although some cast members said they were initially nervous to sing in front of LuPone, a Broadway legend, the three-time Tony winner insisted everyone in the cast could sing and blend their voices well.

“It’s magical to be in a chorus. Sometimes, the fates just align. Each member of this coven did have to pick up instruments or we did have to sing, and it all sounds great,” LuPone said. “Sometimes, things are fated. I think this was fated.”

The tight-knit bonds of the on-screen coven seem to have transcended off camera, as well. Hahn said the group developed a close bond during the shoot in Atlanta.

“Everybody is such a such a powerhouse in their own right that it was very easy to come to work. Everyone stepped up because we were all so excited to be working with each other,” Hahn said. “We were just sitting in a circle on the stage every day, just telling stories and talking about what food we’re going to eat next. It just became a dream.”

As the cast and creatives behind the series wait for its two-episode premiere, Schaeffer said she is holding her breath while eagle-eyed fans dissect trailers and theorize about the plot. Although she once thought “WandaVision” would be a “huge flop,” Schaeffer said she feels confident in the show.

“What ‘WandaVision’ taught me is it all kind of shakes out,” she said. “Not everyone will be satisfied, but the majority of people, I think what they really want is the ride and I feel confident that’s what we’re providing with ‘Agatha.’”



Pearl Jam Drummer Matt Cameron Says He’s Leaving the Band After Nearly 30 Years

Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam performs during BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Napa, Calif. (AP)
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam performs during BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Napa, Calif. (AP)
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Pearl Jam Drummer Matt Cameron Says He’s Leaving the Band After Nearly 30 Years

Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam performs during BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Napa, Calif. (AP)
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam performs during BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Napa, Calif. (AP)

Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron said Monday that he’s leaving the band after nearly 30 years.

The 62-year-old Cameron announced his departure in a social media post.

“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” Cameron said. “Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter.”

Cameron didn't give a reason for his departure.

“Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer. He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always,” Pearl Jam members said in a statement posted to the band's social media accounts.

They made no mention of a replacement.

Cameron, who played drums for Soundgarden for more than a decade before joining Pearl Jam, was not a founding member of the band and didn't play drums for the early albums that made them rock superstars.

But he provided some much-needed stability at the drum kit after the band had gone through four others since its inception. He first joined in 1998 as a temporary replacement for Jack Irons, playing on a long tour before making his studio debut with the group on 2000's “Binaural.”

He just finished a yearlong tour with the band in support of its 12th studio album, “Dark Matter.”

Cameron was born and raised in San Diego before moving to Seattle shortly before its music scene became a global phenomenon. He played in proto-grunge band Skin Yard before joining Soundgarden. He did double duty with Pearl Jam and a reunited Soundgarden from 2010 to 2017.