Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness and Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal are confirmed as former lovers in the Marvel series Agatha All Along, breaking new ground for LGBTQ+ representation in the MCU. While earlier episodes teased their romantic connection, the fourth episode solidified it with intimate moments between the characters.
For fans, particularly queer audiences, this is a surprising yet welcomed development in a franchise that has traditionally only hinted at queer representation in minor moments.
Queer fans of the MCU have long been frustrated by the lack of significant representation, with previous instances like Loki’s casual mention of his bisexuality, a brief same-sex relationship in Eternals, and vague references in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Despite promises from creators, explicit queer storylines have often been downplayed or reduced to minor moments. As a result, the romance between Agatha and Rio feels like a refreshing and significant step forward in a franchise that has often shied away from fully embracing LGBTQ+ stories.
The show includes subtle nods to queer culture, such as campy humor and flirtatious dialogue. However, Agatha All Along goes beyond these moments by featuring a central, complex relationship between two women, similar to the approach taken in The Haunting of Bly Manor.
In that series, the queer romance was intrinsic to the plot, without feeling like a token or forced element, and Agatha All Along appears to be following the same path.
Bly Manor, while primarily a ghost story, was deeply rooted in the romance between two women. It demonstrated that queer relationships can be a natural part of a larger narrative without having to focus solely on the characters’ sexualities. Similarly, Agatha All Along incorporates Agatha and Rio’s love story into the plot organically, further elevating the representation without resorting to cliché ‘coming out’ storylines.
The relationship between Agatha and Rio is laden with sexual tension, adding a new layer to their interactions. While they haven’t yet kissed on-screen, the chemistry between them is palpable through flirtatious dialogue and physical gestures. This stands in stark contrast to the typical sexless romantic subplots of the MCU, which have often sidelined or minimized relationships in favor of action.
The positive fan reactions to this development have been overwhelming, with many expressing their excitement on social media. Some fans have highlighted how Agatha All Along provides the kind of representation they never thought they’d see in the MCU, particularly with its witchy, sapphic love story that feels authentic and powerful.
However, despite this praise, the show has not been free from criticism. Some online backlash has accused the series of being “woke” or pandering to diversity. Such reactions underscore the challenges that queer and female-led stories still face in 2024. Yet, Agatha All Along continues to thrive, boasting the best viewer retention rate of any Marvel series so far.
Both Kathryn Hahn and showrunner Jac Schaeffer have expressed pride in the show’s embrace of LGBTQ+ themes. Hahn acknowledged that this kind of representation reflects what a large portion of the audience wants to see.
Schaeffer, in turn, described the show as a love letter to the queer community, crafted by a team passionate about telling these stories. So far, it seems the audience agrees, welcoming the series’ rich and inclusive narrative with open arms.
