As an actor who was just starting out when “WandaVision” took over the world and “Agatha All Along” became an earworm, it feels surreal to now be part of its spinoff. It’s like I went from being a fan watching the show with friends to being a character within it. Quite unexpected, but hey, life’s full of surprises, isn’t it? Just like Agatha’s fresh out-of-both home life! (Laughs)
Born with the name Joe Locke, the 20-year-old leading star of Agatha All Along, seems destined for his clandestine role, which is now classified as “Teen.
In the advertising for Kathryn Hahn’s starring role, it is made clear that Locke’s persona adores Agatha Harkness and frees her from the spell that Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) imposed in the final episode of WandaVision. Following this, Teen teams up with Agatha and a newly formed group of witches to journey along the enigmatic Witches’ Road, each seeking their personal objectives.
As the mind behind “Agatha All Along,” following the massive wave of fan theories surrounding my previous creation, WandaVision, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the intriguing world of fan speculations. To steer clear of misleading paths this time, I made certain precautions. However, it seems that the enigmatic character of Teen has an irresistible allure that fuels such fan engagement. In essence, their mysterious aura invites fans to dive deeper and theorize about their true identity.
To put it simply, when Teen attempts to reveal his past, the series’ plot devices often muffle his words so neither the other characters nor viewers can understand him. This has sparked theories among fans that Teen might be Agatha or Wanda’s son, but for now, Locke is skillfully maintaining the mystery surrounding Teen’s true identity.
Secrets are kept for a good reason, and Teen’s past is intriguing. If I were to discuss it now, it would spoil the entire essence of the show – that’s what helps me maintain my secrecy,” Locke explains to The Hollywood Reporter.
In a recent chat with THR, Locke hinted that the character we met in the initial part of Agatha All Along is worlds apart from who he becomes by the end of the series.
Congrats on a great role, Joe.
Oh, thank you. It’s the role of a lifetime. I’m very, very lucky.
Indeed, it appears that your character’s name and history have been closely guarded secrets, as suggested by the marketing.
(Laughs.)
I couldn’t help myself. Could you clarify, in a more indirect manner, how the overall plan connects you and “Teen”?
One thing I appreciate about Marvel is their knack for keeping so many mysteries hidden, which can be quite aggravating initially, particularly during events like press days. However, the purpose behind these secrets is that when they’re finally revealed, the impact is much greater. Secrets are kept for a reason, and the background story of Teen is intriguing. If I could discuss it now, it would take away from the essence of the show, which is what makes me maintain my silence. In truth, I’d love to share everything with you, but keeping secrets is crucial to preserving the mystery and suspense.
I’ve often felt like my meaningful self-expressions are silenced or filtered, leaving me wondering if I truly spoke the truth on that particular day, or if I was merely speaking nonsense. Was it the truth I shared, or mere jibberish?
I had lines. I was actually speaking.
But was it the truth?
I had lines and I was speaking. (Laughs.)
(Laughs.) Many fans speculate that he might be someone’s son or another person’s son, but no matter his true ancestry, isn’t it exhilarating to portray a character whose lineage sparks such intrigue and conjecture?
Absolutely! As an actor, it’s always enjoyable to be discussed, but what truly matters is getting to portray intricate and enigmatic characters. The teenager we initially meet in the first few episodes is quite distinct from the one we encounter towards the end, which makes it all the more exciting. It’s fascinating that even during this media event, people are discussing the character, and I can’t help but think, “Oh, that’s your interpretation now.” It’s intriguing!
Did the tune from ‘The Ballad of the Witches’ Path’ manage to linger in your mind quite persistently, even after simply watching the series? I can only imagine how deeply ingrained it would be if you had experienced and performed it yourself.
Absolutely, lately while we’ve been rehearsing for the D23 show, many people have been saying, “This tune just won’t leave me alone.” To which I reply, “Believe me, you’re not alone. It’s been swirling around in my mind for nearly two years now.” But it’s a fantastic song, and I’m grateful to have it lingering in my thoughts.
Did the popularity of Wandavision and the “Agatha All Along” tune at the start of 2021 catch your attention in a way that felt like a hint or foreshadowing of things to come in your life?
Back when “WandaVision” debuted, I wasn’t part of the entertainment industry. In fact, I hadn’t landed my first acting role, which was on “Hearstopper”. Instead, I watched the series as a regular fan, enjoying it alongside friends as each episode dropped. And now, being here, involved in the spinoff, feels quite surreal.
During the beginning of the performance, a teen was accompanying a group of unspecified witches. Was this unusual setup intriguing behind the scenes?
It was wonderful. Many aspects of my life have been influenced by powerful women, making days like this feel quite ordinary for me.
“The most appealing dialogue from the series to me is when Agatha inquires about his search, to which he responds humorously, ‘I’m seeking the admiration of my peers and a content home, but you seem to have run out of both.’
(Laughs.) Oh, that’s quite amusing! That was my initial self-recorded audition, and I found myself wondering, “Could this be the spinoff for WandaVision? I’m utterly confused.” Since it was my first self-tape, they didn’t provide much guidance other than the content of that scene. So, it turned out to be quite humorous because it wasn’t what one would typically anticipate in an audition.
So you’d practiced that line plenty of times before the actual day.
Indeed, I’ve noticed that the scenes I audition for frequently prove to be challenging because by then, they become quite familiar from practicing them repeatedly in hopes of securing the role. On the day itself, this familiarity can sometimes make my delivery feel mechanical, yet this particular scene is exceptional.
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Agatha All Along premieres Sept. 18 on Disney+.
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2024-09-07 00:25