WandaVision

The series follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live a seemingly perfect married life in the town of Westview, New Jersey, but their reality is a constructed illusion. Each episode parodies a different era of American sitcoms, from the 1950s to the 2000s, with a live studio audience laugh track and period-appropriate production design. As the episodes progress, glitches in the reality reveal that Wanda has created a 'Hex'—a magical barrier—to cope with the trauma of losing Vision and her brother. The narrative unfolds as an external force, S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division), attempts to breach the Hex, while the character Agnes, later revealed as the witch Agatha Harkness, manipulates events from within. The series culminates in a confrontation where Wanda confronts her grief and releases the town, but not before learning she is the legendary Scarlet Witch.

Development began in 2018, with Jac Schaeffer hired as head writer and Matt Shakman directing all episodes. The series was designed to honor the history of television sitcoms, with each episode referencing specific shows such as I Love Lucy, Bewitched, and Modern Family. The production team studied classic sitcoms for camera angles, lighting, and set design, and used practical effects and live studio audiences for the early episodes. The series was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, and Los Angeles, with a mix of period-accurate costumes and visual effects. The music, composed by Christophe Beck, includes a theme song that evolves with each era, with lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The series was originally planned to be a traditional series but was reworked as a limited series to focus on Wanda's character arc.

WandaVision was praised by critics for its originality, blending of genres, and the performances of Olsen and Hahn. It holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting its bold storytelling and emotional depth. The series was nominated for 23 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three, including Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for 'Agatha All Along.' It also sparked widespread fan theories and cultural discussions, particularly around the character of Agatha Harkness and the introduction of the multiverse. The series directly set up the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), in which Olsen reprised her role. The show's exploration of grief and trauma was noted for its mature handling, and it was credited with expanding the MCU's television presence on Disney+.

Several behind-the-scenes details are less widely known. The series originally included a cameo by actor Evan Peters as 'Pietro Maximoff,' a nod to his role in the X-Men films, which was intended to mislead audiences about the multiverse. The character of Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, was introduced in the series and later appears in The Marvels (2023). The series also features a hidden commercial in each episode that reflects Wanda's trauma, such as a Stark Industries toaster and a Lagos paper towel ad. The production used a real town in Georgia for exterior shots, and the Hex's boundary was visualized with practical effects. Additionally, the series was originally planned to be 10 episodes, but one was cut due to COVID-19 production shutdowns. The show's title was kept secret until its announcement, and the first episode was screened for critics without revealing the premise.

Hex

A magical reality-warping barrier created by Wanda Maximoff, trapping the town of Westview.

S.W.O.R.D.

Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division, a government agency that investigates the Hex.

Scarlet Witch

The title given to Wanda Maximoff, a powerful witch in the Marvel Universe.

Agatha Harkness

A centuries-old witch who manipulates events in the series, later revealed as the antagonist.