Agatha Harkness’ MCU origin story may gain a new meaning if an Agatha All Along and WandaVision fan theory turns out to be accurate. Marvel Comics’ Agatha Harkness was originally introduced as an older witch who tutors Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman’s son Franklin Richards, gets captured and killed at the stake by her son Nicholas Scratch and her magical grandchildren the Salem Seven, and helps the Scarlet Witch master her magical power. The MCU made several major changes to Agatha Harkness, including the reason why she’s sent to the stake.

According to WandaVision episode 8’s flashback to Agatha Harkness’ origin story, Agatha’s mother Evanora and her witch coven sent Agatha to the stake as punishment for using dark magic during the Salem Witch Trials in 1693. When the coven attempted to strip Agatha of her power and kill her, Agatha reversed the spell and siphoned all magic from her fellow witches. Hence, WandaVision‘s flashback to 1693 justified Evanora Harkness’ attempt to take down her own daughter. However, certain Agatha All Along episode 5 details suggest there might be more to Agatha’s origin than WandaVision let on.

Agatha All Along Hints WandaVision’s Origin Story Was A Lie

Agatha Harkness May Not Be Able To Control Her Magic Absorption Abilities

In Agatha All Along episode 5, Agatha Harkness’ mother Evanora returns in the form of a ghost, which possesses Agatha’s body during the Witches’ Road’s third trial. When Alice Wu-Gulliver instinctively attacks the possessed Agatha, she shoots a magic spell that knocks Evanora out of Agatha’s body. Unfortunately, Alice is unable to stop her own spell, as Agatha uses it to absorb all of Alice’s power until Alice dies. When confronted about killing Alice by siphoning her energy, Agatha argues that she can’t control it. Of course, no one believes Agatha, but she doesn’t seem bothered by their disbelief.

Given that Agatha had no reason to kill Alice when Alice defended her from Evanora, it seems possible that Agatha really didn’t intend to absorb Alice’s energy. Consequently, if Agatha is telling the truth when she says she can’t control her ability to absorb other witches’ magic, then it’s also possible that she didn’t intend to kill Evanora Harkness in the first place, and that Evanora’s attempt to “punish” Agatha at the stake was the event that led Agatha down the path of villainy, not Agatha’s desire for occult power.

Agatha Has Been Hunted For A Crime She Didn’t Commit

The Salem Seven May Have Become What Evanora Harkness’ Coven Tried To Avoid

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Agatha All Along episode 5 also reveals the true origin of the MCU’s Salem Seven. Unlike their comic book counterparts, the MCU’s Salem Seven aren’t the daughters of Agatha Harkness’ son Nicholas Scratch. Instead, they’re the daughters of Evanora Harkness’ coven, who died when they tried to kill Agatha at the stake in 1693. If Agatha Harkness really couldn’t control her power when she killed Evanora and her coven, then the Salem Seven must be misguided in their wish to exact revenge on Agatha for the deaths of their mothers.

After their mothers’ deaths, the Salem Seven might have been inspired to take up dark magic, or cursed after Agatha killed Evanora’s coven

Another difference between Marvel Comics’ Salem Seven and their live-action MCU adaptation is that the former are physically powerful beings with a wide variety of rather straightforward abilities like super strength and super speed, whereas the MCU’s Salem Seven seem to be mystical entities capable of transforming into animals. The MCU’s Salem Seven’s appearance and abilities seem to be closer to dark magic than Agatha Harkness herself. After their mothers’ deaths, the Salem Seven might have been inspired to take up dark magic, or cursed after Agatha killed Evanora’s coven.

Was This The Real Reason Agatha Wanted The Darkhold?

Agatha Harkness May Have Needed The Darkhold To Control Her Powers

WandaVision introduced Agatha Harkness as a power-obsessed witch who desired Wanda Maximoff’s power all for herself. However, Agatha All Along‘s suggestion that Agatha can’t control her power could be what led Agatha to acquire the Darkhold and try to steal the Scarlet Witch’s legendary chaos magic. Agatha might have been born with special magical abilities that allow her to absorb other witches’ power, but she might need a vast amount of magic in order to control it. In this case, the Darkhold might not have held the solution, but its information on the legendary Scarlet Witch might have led Agatha directly to Wanda.

What led Evanora Harkness and her coven to accuse Agatha of employing dark magic may not have been forbidden spells or practices. Instead, it may have been other instances of Agatha accidentally absorbing other witches’ power and leaving their heavily decayed corpses behind. Agatha’s death sentence, then, could have been what inspired her to take more drastic measures to defend herself from other witches. Between 1693 and 2025, Agatha may have continued to absorb other witches’ magic while searching for a way to control this ability.

Could Scarlet Witch’s Chaos Magic Have Freed Her From This Curse?

Scarlet Witch’s Chaos Magic Probably Wasn’t The Solution To Agatha Harkness’ Power Problem Either

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Wanda Maximoff’s chaos magic is an immensely powerful force capable of reshaping reality itself, as evidenced by Wanda’s Westview hex in WandaVision. Given its reality-warping nature, Wanda’s magic technically could override or alter Agatha Harkness’ magical instincts, including her inability to control her power. However, it would have been very unlikely for either Wanda or Agatha to use the Scarlet Witch’s magic for this purpose in Wand aVision, as neither witch knew exactly how to wield chaos magic at that point. In fact, Wanda barely knew how she created the Westview Hex.

Still, it’s possible that chaos magic holds the key to enhance Agatha Harkness’ power and allow her to control it effortlessly. After all, chaos magic is one of the most versatile forces in Marvel lore, as it can fundamentally alter others’ powers and abilities. In the comics, Scarlet Witch is able to rewrite Earth-616’s reality, including the powers and backstories of every Marvel character. In WandaVision, Scarlet Witch’s chaos magic temporarily resurrected Vision’s consciousness and provided Ralph Bohner with Quicksilver’s super speed abilities.

Teen may have access to Scarlet Witch’s chaos magic

While Wanda Maximoff’s death in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness means that Agatha Harkness will no longer be able to steal chaos magic from the Scarlet Witch, Agatha All Along‘s reveal that Teen is Wanda’s son Billy may grant Agatha another opportunity. Teen’s crown at the end of Agatha All Along episode 5 suggests he has similar abilities to his mother. If true, then Teen may have access to Scarlet Witch’s chaos magic, and Agatha Harkness may have another chance to steal it in order to upgrade her magical abilities and learn how to control it.