How Kathryn Hahn Was Cast As Agatha Harkness in WandaVision

WandaVision showrunner, Jac Schaeffer, explains how Kathryn Hahn ended up with the role of Agatha, while also praising Hahn for being the type of actress that every writer wants on their show. Disney+'s first foray into MCU TV shows has overall been a success; although many fans were disappointed by the show's ending, the build-up that was cultivated in the beginning half of the series was no doubt entertaining to watch. This is in large part due to Hahn's charming yet suspicious character, whom audiences first meet as "Agnes" in the pilot. In episode 7, it's finally revealed that Wanda and Vision's nosy neighbor is in fact a witch named Agatha Harkness who wants to steal Wanda's powers. While the MCU is no stranger to this type of plot twist, Agatha's reveal was uniquely satisfying thanks to the show-stealing jingle that came along with it.

Considering Hahn's versatile acting abilities that she has showcased in previous roles, it seems like a no-brainer that Agatha would become a fan favorite. Hahn brings electric humor to roles that has the power to reenergize a show, such as when she came on to Parks and Recreation as Jennifer Barkley, the campaign manager for Bobby Newport (played by other future MCU star, Paul Rudd). On top of her comedic strengths, Hahn also has the talent to take on more serious characters, including the depressed empty-nester, Eve, in HBO's Mrs. Fletcher. While Hahn has not been a household name in years past, it seems that may soon change for the actress as her impressive roles keep piling up.

Even though Hahn was a more low key actress, Schaeffer and her fellow WandaVision writers certainly thought that she was hot commodity in Hollywood. In a recent interview with NYT, Schaffer explains how Hahn came to Marvel Studios for just a general meeting, which caused the WandaVision writers to freak out because "any writer on the planet... is in love with Kathryn Hahn." Shortly after, Hahn met with Schaeffer and was pitched the entire show – spoilers and all. Continue below to see Schaeffer's full explanation:

We had Agatha because she’s so tied to Wanda’s stories in the comics. At first she functioned as a magic expert, and as we got into it, we wanted to have a more antagonistic force. We were writing her and she just leapt off the page. She had this arch, comedic thing and these sick burns. We were trying to figure out who to cast, and Kathryn had come in [to Marvel] for a general meeting and we heard she was in the building. It was like, Oh my God. Everyone got really still. Any writer on the planet, in television, in film, is in love with Kathryn Hahn and wishes for Kathryn Hahn. You sit down for your writer prayers at night and say, bring me a Kathryn Hahn. The next day or the day after, she came in and we pitched her the whole show.

The Agatha All Along number in WandaVision.

It's a good thing that Hahn was in the building that day, too. After seeing WandaVision in full, it is hard to imagine anyone else pulling off the roller coaster that is Agatha Harkness. Not only did Hahn jump through the decades along with the rest of the show's cast, she also had to play as a friend, mentor, and villain, all with the added pressure of being one of the few women antagonists in the MCU.

Given Hahn's increasing popularity, there could be an increase in content that features the actress in the near future. On top of WandaVision, Hahn has been working as a voice actor for the animated musical sitcom, Central Park. She is also set to reunite with Rudd for Apple's miniseries, The Shrink Next Door, along with Will Ferrell and Casey Wilson. And of course, she could certainly return to the MCU as Agatha, which is something Hahn has already expressed interest in doing. In short, it is certainly likely that Hahn will join more projects – after all, every writer in the world hopes to get Kathryn Hahn

Next: All 13 Marvel Movies Releasing After WandaVision

Source: NYT