Agatha All Along Showrunner Leaves Disney for Amazon MGM Deal

by

Well, folks, it looks like Jac Schaeffer, the creative force behind the catchy Agatha All Along, is heading to a new streaming home. I’m hearing from Variety that Schaeffer has landed a three-year deal with Amazon MGM Studios, meaning we won’t be seeing their work with Disney for the foreseeable future. It’s a big move, and I’m definitely curious to see what they cook up over at Amazon!

‘WandaVision’ Creator Jac Schaeffer Sets Amazon MGM Studios TV Overall Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

— Variety (@Variety) February 11, 2026

This announcement follows Disney’s recent report of surprisingly strong profits. During a meeting with investors on February 2nd, Disney revealed that its streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, earned $450 million in operating income last quarter – a 72% increase compared to the same period last year.

When streaming services become more profitable, they usually have more money to spend on new shows and movies. Ryan Schaeffer leaving Disney to work for a competitor might mean Disney is changing how it makes content and who it chooses to lead those projects.

Schaeffer’s Time at Disney+

As a huge Marvel fan, I remember when they first started really expanding into Disney+ shows, and it all kicked off with WandaVision in 2021. Seeing Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany back as Wanda and Vision was awesome, and the show was a total hit for the streaming service right away. What I really loved was how it mixed classic sitcom vibes with the superhero action – it felt so fresh and original. It really paid off, racking up an incredible 23 Emmy nominations!

Schaeffer then developed Agatha All Along, a series based on Kathryn Hahn’s popular character from WandaVision. Despite receiving positive reviews and award nominations, the show didn’t resonate with most viewers. A 2024 report from Luminate showed it was one of the least-watched Marvel shows ever, although surprisingly, it still ranked as the third most-watched program on Disney+ that year.

Many viewers observed that the show explored and challenged conventional family structures. During a fan event, the creator confirmed that Agatha’s son was conceived without a father, but declined to explain the details of how or why.

I was so excited to see Mark Schaeffer directing the pilot for a new take on Holes for Disney+ – a version that flipped the genders of the characters! It was a really interesting idea, but unfortunately, Disney+ decided not to develop it into a full series. It’s a shame, because I thought his direction showed a lot of promise for this fresh approach.

The Amazon MGM Studios Deal

As part of a new agreement with Amazon MGM Studios, Schaeffer will be developing, writing, producing, and directing original shows and movies for the streaming service. This move is becoming common in the entertainment industry, with creative professionals changing studios when their contracts expire. For example, Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on Paramount+, recently made a deal to move to NBCUniversal in 2029. Similarly, the creators of the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have signed an exclusive deal with Paramount.

It’s unknown if Disney wanted to keep Schaeffer, as these kinds of agreements often change when contracts end. However, her projects since WandaVision haven’t been as popular as her first show on Disney+.

As a big Disney+ subscriber, I’ve noticed they’re starting to try out some really interesting new ways of telling stories – it feels like they’re not afraid to experiment with different kinds of content now, which is exciting!

New Content Initiatives at Disney+

Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI, the company behind the Sora video generator. As part of a three-year agreement, Sora will be able to create short videos using Disney characters based on user requests, but without using actors’ voices or appearances. Disney+ will also showcase a collection of fan-made videos created with Sora.

Disney recently revealed plans to add short, vertical videos – similar to those found on social media – to its streaming service, Disney+. These videos will probably include content created by users using artificial intelligence, although Disney hasn’t officially confirmed this. While there’s no clear connection between a recent executive departure and Disney’s work with AI, both suggest the company is exploring new ways to make and share content.

To keep viewers hooked, streaming services are looking for affordable ways to boost engagement. For Disney+, expanding short-form videos and content created by users could be a smart move, potentially leading to a shift in how they invest in shows and other types of content.

Read More

2026-02-15 16:57