In the spirit of classic television, Marvel’s Agatha Always Already is a spin-off series that follows a fan-favorite character from the TV series WandaVision. Kathryn Hahn reprises her role as the titular witch, Agatha Harkness, in her attempts to regain her powers, and she’s joined by a cast of MCU newcomers, including Aubrey Plaza. Reviews of the series based on the first four episodes have arrived alongside its premiere on Disney+, and while understandably not as ingenious as WandaVision, Agatha Always Already is hailed as an enjoyable, relatively standalone entry in the MCU, featuring another excellent performance from Hahn.

This is what critics say about it Agatha Always Already:

How does it compare to WandaVision?

Agatha Always Already is a worthy successor to WandaVision.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

Agatha Always Already feels like a very organic transition from WandaVisionThe tone of this series and the energy emanating from its lead actors fit perfectly with the first MCU series.
— Diego Peralta, Geeks of Color

A fitting and satisfying spin-off… the series takes the best parts of WandaVision —namely, using genre as a framework for the episodes—and elevating it.
—Nicole Drum, ComicBook.com

Agatha Always Already is completely self-contained, and all the better for it.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

At first, viewers may feel disconnected from the playful nature of WandaVisionbut as the episodes progress, connections to the original series begin to emerge.
— Allison Rose, FlickDirect

Agatha Always Already has the pedigree and there is enough going on… where it doesn’t have to be WandaVision to stay informed and see what happens next.
— Danielle Solzman, Solzy in the cinema

(Photo by ©Marvel)

Is it one of the better Marvel TV series?

Agatha Always Already is one of the most exciting new additions to the MCU in a long time.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

It’s a lot better than much of Marvel’s recent work.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone

It feels fresh in a way that many MCU titles haven’t as of late.
— Amy West, Total Film

As for Marvel Television, Agatha Always Already is a stronger offering than most that has come before.
— Tyler Taing, in conversation about film

It has the potential to be one of the best Marvel TV series because it develops in its own way.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

Marvel Television is trying to carve out a unique space with this series. If it doesn’t get too big, it could be one of the most intriguing MCU projects yet.
— Allison Rose, FlickDirect

Agatha Always Already is everything you expect from the series.
— Joe Lipsett, Queer.Horror.Films

Where does it fit into the MCU?

It’s a rare Marvel project that feels justified not because of its role in a years-long master plan, but because of its own creative potential.
— Alison Herman, Variation

The road Agatha Always Already embraces horror, making it feel like a fresh new addition to the MCU in the same vein as Werewolf at night.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

The series also serves as an interesting entry point for new fans and feels like the beginning of a new, magical side of the MCU featuring characters who haven’t previously been in the spotlight.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

Agatha Always Already is funny, creepy, chock full of Marvel lore, and is going to really piss off the biggest fans of tights and capes, the Crusaders… and that’s a good thing.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

If you’re looking for insight into the future of Marvel Television or the MCU in general, then Agatha Always Already isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a solidly entertaining (mostly) standalone series held together by an exceptional cast, this is one of the better options in the streamer’s catalog.
— Tyler Taing, in conversation about film

After years of disappointments in the MCU on both the big and small screen, who would have thought that the project that could breathe new life into a tired cinematic universe would be so successful? Agatha Always Already?
— Anna Govert, Plak Magazine

(Photo by Chuck Zlotnick/©Marvel)

How is Kathryn Hahn as Agatha this time around?

Kathryn Hahn is of course the linchpin of this series and her portrayal of Agatha Harkness is downright enchanting.
— Allison Rose, FlickDirect

Hahn is spectacular as Agatha… The same devilishly wicked witch we spent time with in WandaVision.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

Her charisma is magnetic, but it’s the subtle, breathtaking moments of raw emotion that make us care and sympathize with her, proving she’s always been more than comic relief. Hahn’s performance is its own kind of magic.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

Of Agathathe actor’s crazy side finally takes center stage.
— Alison Herman, Variation

It’s just the right moment for the actor, between sharp humor and a nervous breakdown.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone

Hahn’s versatility perhaps needs no further praise, but she manages to bring out many different shades of a character who at first could simply have been a caricature of Margaret Hamilton.
—Luke Y. Thompson, SuperHeroHype

A large part of Hahn’s comic genius is her physique, and Agatha Always Already sees her almost constantly displaying tics and facial expressions that put the likes of Jim Carrey and Lucille Ball under pressure.
— Amy West, Total Film

Is Aubrey Plaza a great addition to the MCU?

It would be hard to find better casting than Plaza. Rio Vidal feels like a role she was born to play.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

She was born to play Rio Vidal… (and) brings her natural big witch energy to the role.
— Cassondra Feltus, Black Girl Nerds

Aubrey Plaza brings the landscape to life in the most delightfully funny way as Rio Vidal, a character who will undoubtedly become an instant favorite.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

Plaza effortlessly brings a palpable humanity to her complicated role. It’s a beautifully layered take on a character that could have fallen into monotonous territory in the hands of someone else.
— Anna Govert, Plak Magazine

(Photo by ©Marvel)

Does anyone else stand out?

Debra Jo Rupp is incredibly good, steals every scene and is incredibly cute and hilarious at the same time.
— Kyle Wilson, review of The Lamplight

Rupp and Zamata quickly emerge as some of the funniest… The number of times I caught myself snorting with laughter or giggling out loud at the two surprised even me.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

Patti LuPone proves once again why she’s a living legend as Lilia Calderu, a 450-year-old fortune-telling witch who likes to tear Agatha down whenever she can.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

How is the writing?

It’s a classic underdog story, but it’s one that Marvel usually does well, so it’s no surprise that it’s so effective here.
— Tyler Taing, in conversation about film

The scripts rush through the backstories of the supporting characters, brushing aside the details of the lore and favoring big, flashy moments over intricate world-building.
— Angie Han, Hollywood reporter

Agatha Always Already has a sense of humor that deviates quite a bit from the MCU’s tongue-in-cheek, Joss Whedon-influenced house style.
— Alison Herman, Variation

What about the horror element?

For those looking for a spooky time, fear not – Agatha Always Already doesn’t skimp on the horror in favor of hilarity. A real sense of danger permeates the show.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

As nice and funny as Agatha Always Already There are also some truly terrifying moments that really drive home how terrorized and internally tormented this coven has been for a long time.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

There were times when I had to cover my eyes too.
— Danielle Solzman, Solzy in the cinema

There’s hardly a better way to kick off the spooky season.
— Amy West, Total Film

(Photo by ©Marvel)

Are there many queers represented in the series?

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this series is just how queer it is… Even beyond its more explicit depiction, the overall campy nature of the series and frequent musical numbers make this Marvel project feel less four-quadrant and more tailored to a queer audience.
— Anna Govert, Plak Magazine

It’s messy, it’s electric, and it feels mature and sophisticated and risky in a way we’ve never seen from Marvel before — and rarely seen in other sapphic media, either.
—Taylor Gates, Collider

Hahn and Plaza also radiate an inordinate amount of sexual electricity that’s hard to resist whenever they appear on screen together.
— Kyle Wilson, review of The Lamplight

On one hand, it’s refreshing to see this kind of representation in a mainstream context, and I was drawn to the show because of these choices. On the other hand, Agatha Always Already can never quite escape the fact that it’s a Marvel product, which is why it’s hard not to be cynical about the show’s queerness.
— Tyler Taing, in conversation about film

There are a lot of allusions to queerness, but it seems like Marvel Studios isn’t fully embracing it, allowing people who are offended by such things to keep their online rants to themselves.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

What does the show look like?

Agatha Always Already is a feast for the eyes.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

Aesthetically speaking, Agatha Always Already is perhaps one of the finest Marvel television projects to date.
—Nicole Drum, ComicBook.com

The real stars of the series are the production designer, costume designer and make-up effects specialists, who all have a party day and bring an explosion of ideas to colourful life… The look of the series certainly kept me busy and distracted.
— Peter Martin, DallasFilmNow.com

Each Start-style stopper has a pretty handsome production design.
— Joe Lipsett, Queer.Horror.Films

The sets are all practical and the costumes are ambitious and beautiful.
— Amy West, Total Film

(Photo by Chuck Zlotnick/©Marvel)

Are there any other selling points?

Wisely, Schaeffer brought back Kristen Andersen-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the duo behind that original earworm “Agatha All Along” WandaVisionto write several new songs, including “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” and a ’70s-style showstopper that would make the witch-friendly Stevie Nicks proud.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone

This show loves its musical moments and even manages to deliver an earworm of a gate-opening ballad, thanks to Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
— Angie Han, Hollywood reporter

If I had to guess, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez will probably get an Emmy nomination for “The Ballad of The Witches’ Road.” It’s a catchy tune!
— Danielle Solzman, Solzy in the cinema

Will this make us want to see more of Agatha?

Agatha Always Already does what every good Marvel series should do: leave me wanting more.
—BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm

We already want more.
—Josh Wilding, ComicBookMovie.com

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