Agatha All Along’s Success: Unbelievable Impact on Marvel TV’s Future!

Welcome to our Screen Gab newsletter, the perfect read for those who wouldn’t mind turning “Agatha All Along” into a yearly Halloween tradition.

This week, our staff writer Tracy Brown and Screen Gab editor Matt Brennan dissect the success of “WandaVision’s” spinoff in this week’s Break Down, highlighting how the show not only paves the way for a second season but also provides a lifeline to Marvel’s beleaguered TV division.

Also in Screen Gab edition no. 156, we have “Outer Banks” lead Carlacia Grant sharing some insights about the Netflix show’s passionate fanbase and offering some viewing suggestions for your weekend leisure time.

In Case You Missed It

A roundup of must-read stories that might have slipped under your radar

‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ is challenging men to lead with kindness: The participants of Hallmark’s fresh reality competition reveal how embracing their emotions played a crucial role in the series, which aims to discover a new leading man for the network’s lineup.

Keri Russell is contemplating the role of the vice president—both in ‘The Diplomat’ and in real life: The actress shares how current events and the presidential elections influenced her performance in the Netflix series, which offers an unexpected twist in the Season 2 finale.

Feeling the post-election blues? Here are 8 recent TV shows and specials that are politics-free: This compilation focuses on light-hearted comedies and easy-to-binge series and specials that premiered in recent months or have just released a new season—now is the perfect time to get caught up.

Restoration videos offer a calming escape during uncertain times: Our TV critic delves into the world of restoration videos, showcasing the meticulous repair of various items, offering viewers a tranquil and soothing viewing experience.

Tune In

Suggestions from The Times’ film and TV connoisseurs

“Invincible Fight Girl” (Adult Swim)

Although it might seem odd to say this about such a visually stunning show, it was the sound effects in “Invincible Fight Girl” that first caught my attention. As someone who grew up on a staple diet of shonen action anime, the distinct combat sounds in the introductory wrestling match provided more insight into the show than any summary could. The animated series, set in a society ruled by wrestling, follows Andy, a young accounting student living on an island of accountants who secretly aspires to become a wrestler. After deciding to confront a bully in the ring, Andy embarks on a journey to become the best wrestler she can be. The show expertly blends action, comedy, and a touch of introspection, serving as a delightful tribute to anime like “Dragon Ball Z” and “One Piece,” as well as ’90s professional wrestling and its larger-than-life personas. —Tracy Brown

“Miss Merkel” (MHz Choice)

Inspired by David Safier’s book series, this humorous, cozy mystery cleverly casts former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Katharina Thalbach) in a Germanic spin on Agatha Christie’s Jane Marple. The two feature-length TV movies — “Murder in the Castle” and “Murder in the Cemetery” — find her retired from politics, living in a small town, and accompanied by her husband Joachim (Thorsten Merten), pug Helmut, and bodyguard Mike (Tim Kalkhof), whose fitness routine is constantly disrupted by Merkel’s insistence on feeding him homemade food. Merkel’s inability to sit still and her natural curiosity lead her into detective work, much to the annoyance of Mike and the local police commissioner’s displeasure. The show’s humor ranges from lowbrow to witty, with a mix of toilet humor and topical references, all layered with a strong feminist undertone: “East German women like to take control,” Miss Merkel declares. —Robert Lloyd

READ MORE: Our TV critic’s selection of 42 cozy mysteries to snuggle up with right now

Guest Appearance

A weekly conversation with actors, writers, directors, and more about their current projects and what they’re watching

Even though Netflix has officially announced that “Outer Banks” is coming to an end with a fifth and final season, actress Carlacia Grant is still reeling from the excitement of being cast in the show. In a recent conversation with Screen Gab, the actress revealed that her social media following increased tenfold overnight with the announcement of her casting, reflecting the strong fan interest in the treasure-hunting Pogues from North Carolina’s barrier islands. Grant also spoke about her approach to portraying Caribbean characters with “humanity” and more. —Matt Brennan

What’s your recent favorite watch that you’ve been recommending to everyone?

Apart from “Outer Banks” Season 4 [Laughs], “Barbecue Showdown” and all the installments of the “Street Food” series on Netflix have been my guilty pleasures lately. Also, “Abbott Elementary” [ABC, Hulu].

What’s your comfort watch, the film or TV show you repeatedly return to?

“Golden Girls” [Hulu], my all-time favorite show, “Rugrats in Paris” [Paramount+], and “The Family That Preys” [Max].

Was there a moment, either online or in person, with the press or fans, after you were cast as Cleo, when you realized, “Wow, this show is a big deal”?

When my casting announcement was released, my social media followers jumped from 3,000 to 30,000 literally overnight. It was a surreal experience, especially since this happened before my work on the show had even been released, purely based on anticipation.

As a person of Haitian-Jamaican heritage playing a Bahamian character during a time when Haitian migrants are facing unfounded racist attacks from the Republican presidential ticket, what positive message about Afro-Caribbean people do you hope viewers take away from characters like Cleo?

I hope they see our humanity. The purpose of racist stereotypes and rhetoric is dehumanization. I hope when people see Cleo, they see a well-rounded human being who is loving, strong, cultured, and resilient.

However, it’s not the responsibility of a single person or character to represent such a diverse community. Caribbean people are not a monolith and have a rich array of histories. I encourage viewers to do their own research on the culture and different islands, and to visit and chat with people outside their usual circles.

Break Down

Taking a deep dive into the current pop culture scene—whether it’s a hit, a miss, or somewhere in between

Last week saw the conclusion of “Agatha All Along” (Disney+), marking the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s TV division’s first significant cultural event in a while. The show, with its catchy songs, feuding divas, and strong online presence, had everyone talking, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Our resident Marvel expert Tracy Brown has been following the series since its inception, while Screen Gab editor Matt Brennan binge-watched the entire season just in time for the finale.

Matt Brennan: Tracy, I have to admit that “Agatha All Along” is the first Marvel TV series I’ve watched from beginning to end since “WandaVision” almost four years ago. I sampled a few pilots in between and completed the first season of “Loki,” but none of them were as captivating as Jac Schaeffer’s pair of witch-themed action-comedies. Given the franchise’s recent struggles, I suspect I’m not the only one who feels this way. Both “Agatha All Along” and its predecessor found that sweet spot of appealing to die-hard fans with subtle nods to familiar comic book characters, while also telling a self-contained story that’s accessible to casual viewers who might not know their Wiccans from their Wandas. Put simply, “Agatha All Along” didn’t become the franchise’s first TV series to generate sustained conversation in a while by accident. But I can only speak as a casual viewer, Tracy. From a Marvel lore enthusiast’s perspective, what are your thoughts?

Tracy Brown: I’ve been hooked on “Agatha All Along” ever since I saw Kathryn Hahn and her co-stars perform “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” live at D23 this summer. But my reasons for loving the show probably aren’t that different from yours. Hunting for Marvel Easter eggs and theorizing about the plot is fun, but it also heightens expectations—the show still has to deliver. Joe Locke’s character is a good example. One of the main mysteries teased in “Agatha” was the identity of “Teen,” but most seasoned Marvel fans probably had a pretty good idea who he would turn out to be. I was still eager to see how everything would play out, especially given how far the original comic book storyline has strayed from the MCU. Now, I’m thrilled that we’re one step closer to seeing one of my favorite comic book superhero teams possibly come to life in the MCU. But even without the Marvel tie-ins, a queer show about flawed witches—including a couple with a tumultuous romantic past—going on an adventure together was always going to resonate with me. What about you? What made this show a must-watch for you?

Brennan: It’s interesting that you mention “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road,” because that song has been stuck in my head ever since the roundelay/montage that reveals how Agatha accumulated other witches’ powers over time. In a way, the song, which recurs in different forms throughout the series, perfectly represents what made “Agatha All Along” so compelling: its ability to be innovative within a conventional framework. The episodic witch trial structure, which unveiled character depth through suspenseful, escape room-style challenges rather than heavy-handed plot diversions, kept me engaged without getting overwhelmed by the MCU connections. It also gave each member of Agatha’s motley crew of rivals a chance to shine. By the time Patti Lupone’s clairvoyant character Lilia used her powers to save the day in the stunning episode “Death’s Hand in Mine,” I realized I wasn’t ready for the season to end.

Alongside HBO’s “The Penguin”—a gritty crime drama set in DC Comics’ Gotham City—“Agatha All Along” hints at a new direction for comic book TV: Stop trying to tie into the broader Universe and focus on creating a self-contained one. Tracy, what do you predict for the future of “Agatha All Along” and Marvel TV in general?

Brown: What I’m hoping for is more adventures with Agatha and her “coven two” since the series left that possibility open. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but there’s been plenty of speculation about a potential second season. More broadly, I think the revival of the Marvel Television banner, which was displayed at the start of every episode, suggests a renewed understanding that TV shows can’t simply be treated as one long film split into segments—they’re a distinct art form that needs to be developed accordingly. Hopefully, Marvel TV will be a place where diverse creative approaches can flourish, even within the constraints of a larger connected universe. It’s a model that comic books have successfully adopted. As for what’s next, “Daredevil: Born Again,” “Ironheart,” and “Wonder Man” are the live-action shows lined up, so it appears that Marvel is planning to capitalize on its past successes before launching anything completely new.