Summary

• Agatha: Darkhold Diaries will fit perfectly with Aubrey Plaza's love for dark humor and witch-related subjects.
• Plaza's role on Legion proved how perfect she is for Darkhold diaries.
• Darkhold diaries will bring the MCU into a darker and more mystical story.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has quite possibly the greatest ensemble cast in film and television history. The upcoming miniseries, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, which will serve as a sequel to Wandavision and revolve around its main villain, is set to continue this trend. With Marvel having already announced a portion of its main cast (with some new faces and some returning ones), one of the most surprising yet fitting names attached to the project is Aubrey Plaza. Some may have forgotten, however, this Agatha is actually not Plaza's first foray into the Marvel universe. Before becoming a part of the still ever-growing world of characters like Captain America and Doctor Strange, she previously found herself entangled with characters from the realm of X-Men.

When Legion premiered on FX back in 2017, it was one of the more unconventional on-screen takes on Marvel Comics, offering a more visually surreal and thought-provoking premise as opposed to the more straightforward and fun action thrill rides of previous adaptations. It was rightfully praised for its unique brand of storytelling, but it also gave Aubrey Plaza perhaps one of the most important roles that would help shape the rest of her career trajectory. It not only proved the legitimacy of her range as a more serious actress, but it also proved just how much of a perfect fit the Agatha series is for someone of her personal and professional sensibilities in the MCU.

Who Did Aubrey Plaza Play on FX's Legion?

Developed by Noah Hawley, best known for his work on Fargo, his psychedelically dark take on the lore of X-Men with Legion was truly unlike anything Marvel had ever done before or even since. Its story revolved around David Haller (aka "Legion"), the unstable and dangerously powerful telepathic mutant son of Professor Charles Xavier. Throughout its three-season-long story, he battles his inner demons as well as the literal demon dwelling within his very consciousness: Amal Faroul (aka "The Shadow King"). In the series, Plaza played the role of Lenny Busker, an androgynous and eccentric friend of David and a fellow patient at the psychiatric hospital where he is originally being treated for his supposed schizophrenia. Towards the second half of the first season, she essentially becomes the main villain, when her consciousness is corrupted, and becomes a new vessel for the Shadow King, before becoming involved in even more surreal and complicated situations in Seasons 2 and 3.

While best known for playing April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation, along with other deadpan comedy roles in films like Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Plaza has since proven just how much wider her acting range truly is. Heavily inspired by the androgyny of David Bowie, the role of Lenny gave her the chance to showcase a more physically expressive performance that was simultaneously humorous, mysterious, terrifying, and alluring. Having achieved wide acclaim for her role in the 2022 thriller film Emily the Criminal and even receiving a Golden Globe nomination for HBO's The White Lotus the following year, Legion certainly deserves more credit for how it helped Plaza break free from typecasting and gain greater recognition for just how talented she really is as a performer.

Why Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is the Perfect MCU Fit For Aubrey Plaza

Throughout Plaza's career, she's gained quite a reputation for how well she plays abrasive and unstable characters, as well as awkward weirdos who carry dark obsessions and think violent thoughts. Seeing how her character in the upcoming Agatha series has already been revealed to be the follower of a coven, audiences should expect that it will provide them with another exciting opportunity to see her tap into her inner weirdo; but it is more than certain to appeal to her on a more personal level as well. Given that the series is centered all around witches, dark magic, and covens, it seems like a project that's perfectly suited for Plaza, who has made no secret of her interest and enjoyment of dark humor and the subject of witches. Her hosting gig at the 2019 Independent Spirit Awards was a perfect example, as her pre-recorded cold open sketch was all about her leading her own coven, consisting of other actresses such as Christina Ricci and Marissa Tomei, engaging and offering up a virgin sacrifice in the form of Stranger Things star, Finn Wolfhard.

She's even taken her love of witches to the realm of literature, having co-authored The Legend of the Christmas Witch and The Return of the Christmas Witch, two children's books that tell the story of Santa Claus' long-lost and forgotten twin sister, who was taken in and raised by a witch in the woods. There's another interesting aspect to the role, however, that is giving her a unique chance to tap into a certain side of herself that none of her previous ones have ever really allowed her to before. Despite being openly bisexual herself, Plaza's career has not exactly given her any real major opportunities to play characters involved in same-sex romances. With her role having been seemingly set to be a love interest for Agatha Harkness, it could be the perfect opportunity for her to bring something more personal to the part and express a certain side of herself onscreen that has yet to be seen.

Who Is Aubrey Plaza Playing in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries?

• Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is set to premiere on Disney+ on September 19, 2024.

Like with most other MCU projects currently in production, the details regarding Agatha: Dark Diaries are under tight wraps and there isn't really much information out there. However, what little information has managed to get out to the public has already provided fans with plenty of details that have them both excited and heavily speculative. While some originally speculated that Agatha would be a prequel, it turns out that this is actually not the case. Those who have seen Wandavision know that Agatha survived the aftermath of the events of the finale, and according to the IMDb plot synopsis, she'll be back with vengeance, recruiting "some unlikely allies on her quest to regain her former powers." With all this in mind, what kind of role does Aubrey Plaza have to play in this series?

While some of Agatha's cast will be portraying characters previously seen in Marvel Comics, such as Kathryn Hahn, reprising her role as the titular witch, and Joe Locke, taking on the role of Billy Kaplan/Wiccan, it appears that Plaza is playing a completely original character created exclusively for the show. Her character, Rio Vidal, has been described as a witch in Agatha's coven and is one of her "unlikely allies" who will be sure to play a major role in helping Agatha regain her abilities. Despite the character being an original creation, it's also been reported that she'll be sharing quite a few similarities to the Emerald Warlock Dian, a character from the comics who even Scarlet Witch found far too powerful to defeat. As previously mentioned, it also seems that her character will serve as a love interest for Harkness, indicating that the show will also be sure to explore both characters' bisexuality.

Seeing just how well Plaza managed to shine in her role as Lenny on Legion, there should be no doubt that she will do just the same as Rio in Agatha. With her love of all things witch-related, it definitely seems like she has found a place in the MCU where she will be completely within her element. While fans may be looking forward to seeing more of Kathryn Hahn's villainous side after Wandavision, fans should not be surprised it's Plaza who really manages to steal the show from her.