What The WandaVision Cast Looks Like In Real Life
Within the hexed walls of Westview, everything transforms. S.W.O.R.D. agents become circus clowns, drones become toy helicopters, and the town's residents become bit characters in Wanda Maximoff's idyllic, old-television fantasy. Without the effects of Wanda's hex, these townsfolk are completely different people with unique, unscripted lives. The same can be said, of course, for the cast of "WandaVision" itself. When the cameras stop rolling, Wanda Maximoff is the unique, unscripted Elizabeth Olsen. And one can't help but wonder: what is she really like?
Just as there are untold truths about the complicated plot of "WandaVision," so too are there untold secrets of the show's cast, composed of actors who have filmographies stretching back decades. In addition to their storied careers, the "WandaVision" cast also have unknown private lives off the set. In the same way that superheroes have secret identities, actors have normal, everyday lives that are overshadowed by their huge performances.
So what is the cast of "WandaVision" like in real life? It wasn't easy to break the hex, but outside the walls of Marvel Studios, the cast members transform into something totally unexpected.
Wanda Maximoff -- Elizabeth Olsen
It may be surprising to hear that the all-powerful, reality-manipulating Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, got her start in indie films. But it's true.
Growing up related to the immensely popular Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, it should come as no surprise that Liz, as she is more casually known, had some cameos in the twins' films. The truth of having superstar sisters isn't as glamorous as it may initially seem, though. Elizabeth Olsen recounted to The Hollywood Reporter how she would hang out on set with her sisters, saying, "They would be like, 'Hey Lizzie, you want to be on this one?' I would be like, 'Okay!,' and then they would put gum in my hair."
Her real film breakthrough came years later, though. While still attending New York University, Olsen starred in "Martha Marcy May Marlene," a critical success that received a glowing review from Roger Ebert. Olsen proved herself talented and separate from her twin sisters before anyone even had the chance to doubt her.
Soon after, Olsen was cast as the Scarlet Witch in "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and the rest is Marvel Cinematic history. Outside her time with Marvel, Olsen has starred in the American remakes of "Oldboy" and "Godzilla," the black comedy "Ingrid Goes West," and the Facebook Watch series "Sorry For Your Loss." Speaking with The New York Times, Olsen said that when portraying characters dealing with grief (like Wanda), she tries to "make people not feel alone and to feel seen."
Vision -- Paul Bettany
Was anyone else shocked when the robotic voice of JARVIS became synthetic flesh in "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and was tall, red, and handsome? Marvel Studios is known for playing the long game with its secret reveals, but hiding Paul Bettany in plain sight for all the "Iron Man" movies and the first "Avengers" outing has to be the studio's greatest ploy to date. Those of you who were surprised to see Bettany's first on-camera appearance may also be surprised to learn that he has a rather decorated career on-set and on-stage.
Bettany is a lifelong performer. Before he was the living embodiment of the Mind Stone, Bettany would busk the streets of London, per The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm glad I'm not [a busker] now," he admitted. As if working his way up the ladder of fame, Bettany moved from the London streets to the Royal Shakespeare Academy, acting in plays like "Julius Caesar" and "Romeo and Juliet." It wasn't long until he had jumped from the royal theater to the movie theater. Bettany can be found among the casts of "A Knight's Tale," "A Beautiful Mind," and "The Da Vinci Code," among others.
It's easy to see a resumé like Bettany's and think his whole life must be charmed, but he has dealt with his fair share of hardship, losing a young brother in an accident. No wonder then that his line in WandaVision — "What is grief, if not love persevering?" — hit so hard. This performance garnered him an Emmy nomination.
Agatha Harkness -- Kathryn Hahn
Every few years an actor who is liked and well-known becomes beloved and ubiquitous. The first of these rebirths was, of course, The McConnaissance. The latest of these is, of course, The Hahnaissance. Any doubters in Kathryn Hahn's era of stardom need only recall the Agatha Winking meme that took the internet by storm for a month after the airing of the third "WandaVision" episode.
Hahn was not struggling for work or critical approval before playing the deceiving, power-sapping witch-next-door Agatha Harkness in "WandaVision," though. Since the early '00s, Hahn has been charming audiences as the comedic sidekick since her breakout role in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Other credits include "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Step Brothers," and a recurring role on NBC's "Parks and Recreation." "WandaVision" isn't even her first Marvel credit, technically speaking. She also played Olivia Octavius, the Doctor Octopus counterpart in Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse."
In a Vanity Fair profile, Hahn reacted to her newfound level of fame: "I am tickled by it ... The part I was lucky enough to play ... was just a ball." Later in the piece, Paul Rudd says, "Kathryn is often not only the best person for the part, but also the best person on the set. Her personality is so joyous." With such praise, it's no wonder Marvel decided to continue with her character in the upcoming series "Agatha: House of Harkness."
Monica Rambeau -- Teyonah Parris
Marvel newcomer Teyonah Parris plays the fearless S.W.O.R.D.-agent-turned-superhero Monica Rambeau. While this may be many viewers' first time seeing Parris on the screen, "WandaVision" is far from her first rodeo. Newer fans of Parris can take heart; her backlog is sizeable and her time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is far from over.
Parris' breakout role was as Dawn Chambers on the AMC show "Mad Men." This role — which was followed by starring gigs in the films "Dear White People," "Chi-Raq," and "If Beale Street Could Talk" — was one that Parris almost didn't take. In a Hairpin interview, Parris shared that she had been down on her luck auditioning when she first moved to LA. At some point, she got sick of the rejection, and decided she was going to spend the last of her money on an India trip with friends before moving to New York City. "I had a callback," she recalled. "Then I'm in the room ... with Jon Hamm ... I left the room and I had this feeling. 'Why? Why now that I'm leaving the country?'"
Fortune smiled on Parris in more way than one. Not only did she get the part, but she was able to accommodate her India trip around the filming schedule — and thank goodness. Just think, if Parris had been forced to choose, and never went on to play Monica Rambeau, Wanda may never have gotten out of Westview. Instead, fans can look forward to more appearances from Parris in the upcoming film "The Marvels."
Darcy Lewis -- Kat Dennings
Did anyone else forget that Darcy Lewis, before she was a quippy hacker in "WandaVision," was a quippy college student in "Thor" and "Thor: The Dark World"? Well, after Dennings' performance reprising the role on "WandaVision," it's doubtful anyone will be forgetting about Darcy anytime soon. She was already seen again in the recent series "What If...?" It seems Darcy and Dennings will be around the MCU for a while.
Outside of her Marvel gig, Dennings is a prolific actress, working in film and TV since she was a child. Her first on-screen role was a bit part in an episode of "Sex and the City," and since then she's starred in "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," "To Write Love on Her Arms," and the CBS show "2 Broke Girls." Dennings, a comedic actress to be sure, played smaller roles in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "The House Bunny."
When she isn't playing funny characters, Dennings has noted her penchant for playing the "Sad Girl." In an interview with InStyle, Dennings asked, "Don't we all relate to the sad emo character?!" She explained that while she loves the "Sad Girl" archetype because they are roles she "feel[s] like [she] can bring a real aspect to," she doesn't relate to it once the cameras stop rolling: "I have a real disconnect between me and my work ... when I am done working, then I'm done; like I am going home to be me." A philosophy Darcy would surely agree with.
Sharon Davis/Mrs. Hart -- Debra Jo Rupp
In a show like "WandaVision" that provides a meta-commentary on television through the ages, it is only fitting to have one of TV's most recognizable mothers in the cast. Debra Jo Rupp, who portrayed Kitty Forman on "That '70s Show," appeared in the series premiere as two characters in one. Normally, Sharon Davis is a normal citizen of Westview, New Jersey, but under the effects of Wanda's magic, she becomes the "I Love Lucy"-esque comical wife Mrs. Hart. Not surprisingly, Rupp navigates this layered character with practiced finesse.
Rupp almost passed on the opportunity to appear in "WandaVision," telling Looper, "I didn't even know what Marvel was." It was her nephew who ultimately convinced her: "my great nephew Johnny ... said, 'Aunt Debbie, if you don't take this job, I will never speak to you again!' ... I had no idea how big [Marvel] was."
Before appearing in the MCU, Rupp had a full career. On television, she's had small roles in "Seinfeld," "Family Matters," "Law and Order: SVU," and many more. If it's a show from the last 20 years, there's a decent chance Rupp was on it at one point or another.
With a career as wide-ranging as hers, it may come as a surprise that Rupp almost didn't become an actress. In a TheaterMania interview, Rupp explained that her parents didn't want her to become an actress initially. She decided to strike out on her own anyway, saying about her decision, "Follow your dream if you're lucky enough to have one."
Todd Davis/Mr. Hart -- Fred Melamed
It could be said that Todd Davis — who is hexed by Wanda into the role of Mr. Hart in the "WandaVision" pilot — is the first villain of the show. He acts as Vision's boss, and is invited over for dinner in the show's pilot. As the stress of impressing their guests builds, the show gives its first impression that something is off in Westview.
If Todd Davis is indeed the show's initial villain, it is no surprise that Fred Melamed plays him. A longtime actor with a sizeable filmography, Melamed is probably best known for his portrayal of the villainous Sy Ableman in the Coen brothers' film "A Serious Man." Other credits include the Maria Bamford show "Lady Dynamite" and the Broadway run of "Amadeus."
Given the acclaim he received for his role in "A Serious Man," it is surprising Melamed isn't getting hired as much. In an interview with The Jewish Chronicle, Melamed attributed this in part to the beauty standards of Hollywood. "Films are cast largely on looks. That's just the way it is," he said. "I have a secret aspiration to be considered for a part where it doesn't matter what you look like to play it ... It would be so freeing to get a script where my character is simply described as 'A Man.'" Hopefully, Melamed gets his chance to play that Man soon enough.
Jimmy Woo -- Randall Park
Before playing Agent Jimmy Woo in "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and "WandaVision," fans will remember Randall Park from his brief stint as Jim in "The Office" as part of a prank or from his recurring role on "Veep." In "WandaVision," Park plays to perfection the part of comic relief who can still pack a punch.
In general, Park's specialty is comic characters, both humorous and superhero-related. Be it comedic credits like "Always Be My Maybe" alongside Ali Wong or a heroic turn alongside Jason Momoa in "Aquaman," Park does comic versatility better than most.
Before mastering the role of on-screen sidekick, Park led the creation of UCLA's first Asian-American theater company, LCC Theater Company. LCC, which stands for "Lapu, the Coyote that Cares," was where Park eventually met comedian Ali Wong. In a Character Media profile for "Always Be My Maybe," Wong said, "Randall was like a deity when I was in college ... I remember thinking, I can't believe this guy's my friend."
Park's talent is clear. All he needs now is a frontman role to launch him to the next level. Agent Jimmy Woo the movie, anyone?
Ralph Bohner/Pietro -- Evan Peters
Before he played a Quicksilver impersonator on "WandaVision," X-Men fans may recall Evan Peters playing a legitimate Quicksilver in the 20th Century Fox franchise. This, alongside Peters' gimmicky character name, Ralph Bohner, is one of the big punchlines on the show. Who better to play fake Pietro Maximoff than a real Peter Maximoff?
Outside his work with Marvel franchises, Peters has also appeared on the TV shows "American Horror Story," "Pose," and "Mare of Easttown," for which he won an Emmy. On the silver screen, Peters can't seem to get enough of his superhero movies. Beside his aforementioned "X-Men" roles, Peters also appeared in "Deadpool 2" and "Kick-Ass."
In his personal life, Peters is more relaxed than the intense characters he portrays. In a GQ profile, Peters said of his acting: "It's been all a massive stretch for me and really difficult to do. It's hurting my soul and Evan as a person." It's difficult to be typecast as one type of character or role, and Peters usually has to play grittier characters. Perhaps that's why he commented that he "would love to do a romantic comedy ... I love them." Hope that happens for him.
Tyler Hayward -- Josh Stamberg
It takes a talented actor to play the hateable character well, and who was more infuriating in "WandaVision" than S.W.O.R.D. director Tyler Hayward? The credit for boiling everyone's blood goes to Josh Stamberg, a veteran TV actor and recurring character in the MCU.
Like Debra Jo Rupp, Stamberg has been a guest star on just about every major network show. Be it "Sex and the City," "CSI," "Law and Order," "House," or now "WandaVision," Stamberg has been there. "WandaVision," however, was in a whole different league, according to Stamberg. In an interview with ET Online, Stamberg said about the Marvel series, "I've been on some successful shows or, dare I say, hit shows. But this is like juggernaut territory." Fortunately for him, Stamberg ensured that Hayward would not die during the series, as part of his contract. "I do pray ... that I'll come back somehow," Stamberg said about Hayward. "I would not only be disappointed, but a little surprised if I didn't show up somewhere." It seems that fans can look forward to that love-hate dynamic with Hayward down the road.
Tommy and Billy -- Jett Klyne and Jullian Hilliard
Was there anything cuter than when Tommy and Billy dressed up for Halloween in Westview? Maybe when the two of them did the docudrama-esque one-on-one talks to the camera in Episode 7, or perhaps when they rescued Wanda from Agatha in the series finale? It's hard to pick a favorite Tommy and Billy moment, but it's easy to say that "WandaVision" would not have been the same without them.
While both actors are relative newcomers, Jett Klyne, who plays Tommy, is probably the newest. While Klyne has had some small roles on shows like "The X-Files" reboot and "Supergirl," "WandaVision" is definitely his biggest spot to date. About his time playing Tommy, Klyne said in a response to Sam Gall Movie Reviews on YouTube that his favorite memory from the set was "the Halloween [episode] when I got to Silly String everyone. That was the best."
Netflix fans will probably recognize Julian Hilliard, who plays Billy in "WandaVision" and Young Luke in "The Haunting of Hill House." Hilliard seems to have a penchant for horror projects and thrillers, having roles in "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" and Showtime's "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels."
Though their time in the MCU was short-lived (at least for now), these two young actors seem to have a bright future ahead of them.