There are certain casting choices in the MCU that feel so perfect, it’s as though the role was destined for the actor. From Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man to Tom Hiddleston as Loki, the MCU has a knack for getting it right. Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal in Agatha All Along feels like another one of those moments. Plaza’s signature deadpan wit, sharp intensity, and dark charm make her portrayal of Rio—revealed to be the Original Green Witch and the embodiment of Death—an unforgettable addition to the MCU.
Ever since her rise to fame in comedic roles like Parks and Recreation, Plaza has shown a range that moves effortlessly between humor and depth. In Agatha All Along, she fully embraces her new identity as a cosmic force in the Marvel Universe, making Rio one of the most captivating and mysterious characters introduced in recent memory. But who is Rio Vidal really? What are the full extent of her powers, and how does her relationship with Agatha Harkness shape the story? As we unravel her backstory, we’ll explore the nature of her connection with Agatha and what her true identity as Death means for the MCU’s magical future.
A Mysterious Connection with Agatha Harkness
In the first episode of Agatha All Along, we find Agatha living in a dazed, alternate reality as Agnes of Westview. She’s portrayed as a cop investigating a murder, but she doesn’t realize she’s trapped in a spell. It isn’t until Rio Vidal and a teenager appear that Agatha snaps out of it. Rio, posing as Federal Agent Vidal, uses her cover to get closer to Agatha. Shortly after Agatha breaks free of Wanda’s hex, Rio reveals her true self in all her dark, chaotic glory. It’s also revealed that Rio can’t kill Agatha, and attempting to drain her powers would result in Agatha’s death.
There’s a clear history between Rio and Agatha, hinted at by their tense interactions and the strong chemistry between them. Press materials and interviews suggest that their relationship was more than just professional, implying romantic involvement. The black heart on Lilia’s list also hints at a heartbroken past between the two witches. Agatha, despite her attempts, struggles to hide the remnants of this relationship. For example, she even replaces the green witch with Mrs. Hart, who enjoys gardening, as a way to run away from her past with Rio.
Throughout the press tour, Plaza and Hahn have been dropping subtle hints about Rio and Agatha being more than just enemies. Plaza mentioned during the Agatha All Along press conference to expect a very intense and dynamic relationship between the two, “one that has all the colors of the rainbow.” The hints have led many fans to believe that Rio and Agatha were former lovers, which adds emotional complexity to their interactions.
Rio Vidal: The Green Witch and Embodiment of Death in the MCU
As Agatha All Along progresses, Rio Vidal’s true nature begins to unfold, revealing her as much more than a formidable magical foe to Agatha Harkness. While initially portrayed as an enigmatic and powerful witch, it is eventually revealed that Rio is not just any sorceress — she is the embodiment of Death itself. This revelation elevates her from a simple antagonist to a cosmic force within the MCU’s magical and supernatural framework.
Rio’s Powers: The First Green Witch
While much of Rio Vidal’s past remains shrouded in mystery, we do have some clues. The scoop from Can We Get Some Toast suggests that Rio is the first green witch. This already makes her incredibly powerful. In theory, a green witch can heal and communicate with nature, but since this is the MCU, her abilities are likely more enhanced. Could she reanimate someone whose body has decomposed in the earth? Possibly. As the first green witch, Rio is likely an ancient figure, filled with wisdom and power.
Green witches are said to possess earth magic, allowing them to control natural elements like wind and healing powers. During her fight with Agatha, Rio demonstrated her command over nature by using air elements to blast Agatha and heal a wound on Agatha’s hand. Plaza described her character as a warrior witch with a shape-shifting quality, adding to her mystique and unpredictability.
This theory aligns with earlier information from Can We Get Some Toast, where it was mentioned that Rio’s heart is black and beats for Agatha—something she says almost verbatim in the episode. This further hints at her deep connection with Agatha, possibly stretching back to before Agatha went mad with dark magic.
Rio Vidal’s Green Witch Powers: Life and Death in Balance
Rio Vidal’s magical abilities as the Original Green Witch are tied to the natural world and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. While she possesses traditional Green Witch powers such as nature manipulation and healing, Rio’s powers extend far beyond what any other witch in the MCU has demonstrated. As a cosmic entity, Rio is capable of influencing not only the physical world but the very fabric of life itself. Her powers transcend mortal limitations, making her a force that can shape both life and death.
During her confrontation with Agatha, Rio demonstrates the full extent of her Green Witch abilities. She uses wind-based magic to incapacitate Agatha, and in an unexpected act of mercy, heals a wound on Agatha’s hand, showcasing the regenerative aspect of her powers. Her ability to heal is especially significant, symbolizing her deep connection to both life and death, as she embodies the force that governs the end of life while also having dominion over rebirth.
Her mystical powers are a manifestation of her role as Death itself. The symbolic “black heart” that Rio speaks of — a heart that “beats for you” — goes beyond emotional attachment; it signifies a literal connection to her powers as Death. This bond with Agatha adds further complexity to their already tense relationship and hints at deeper layers of their shared past.
The Witchcraft Rules in the MCU
The nature of Rio and Agatha’s relationship becomes even more intriguing when considering the rules of witchcraft in the MCU. During their confrontation, they exchange an interesting line:
“You can’t kill me.” “You can’t kill me. It’s not allowed.”
This exchange points to the established rules of witchcraft: no practicing dark magic and no harming members of your coven. We’ve learned through both WandaVision and Agatha All Along that witches shouldn’t harm their own. Agatha is despised by many because she killed her own coven, so it stands to reason that Rio, as the first green witch, holds tightly to these ancient rules. It’s likely that this is why Rio can’t kill Agatha, even if she wanted to.
There may be more to Rio’s inability to harm Agatha than just witchcraft rules. In promotional material, we saw a tarot card that depicted Rio holding a flower and a heart. Though the heart doesn’t appear black, Rio later tells Agatha, “My heart is black, and it beats for you.” This may symbolize the emotional and magical bond between the two. Agatha may have physically removed Rio’s heart through witchcraft, binding them together and preventing them from killing each other.
During their fight, Agatha says, “You know that would kill me,” when referring to absorbing Rio’s powers. This is unusual, as Agatha has drained power from others before without dying, including her own coven and Wanda in WandaVision. The fact that Rio’s powers could kill her hints at a magical connection between the two, or that Rio’s green magic is simply too volatile for Agatha to handle.
The Unbreakable Bond Between Agatha and Rio
One of the most captivating aspects of Rio Vidal’s character is her complicated relationship with Agatha Harkness. From the very start, it is clear that there is something more than just rivalry between the two witches. While their relationship is marked by conflict, there are hints of a deeper, more intimate history — possibly romantic in nature.
In interviews and promotional materials, both Aubrey Plaza and Kathryn Hahn have teased that the relationship between Rio and Agatha is intense and dynamic. Plaza described their bond as “one that has all the colors of the rainbow,” suggesting an emotional and complex dynamic that could be more than just professional. The exchange between the two witches during their fight, particularly Rio’s admission that her “heart is black, and it beats for you,” suggests a love story gone awry, filled with emotional scars that manifest in their magical battles.
In addition to their emotional connection, their relationship is bound by the rules of witchcraft that prevent them from harming one another. These rules not only define the magical limitations of their rivalry but also add emotional weight to their interactions. Neither can kill the other, even if they want to. This magical restraint only intensifies the emotional drama between the two, further hinting at their complicated past and unresolved feelings.
Is Rio Vidal Who She Says She Is?
There’s been speculation about Rio Vidal’s true identity ever since her character was introduced. Early theories among fans suggested that Rio could be a well-known figure from Marvel lore, such as Morgan le Fay, a dark sorceress, or even Enchantress from Asgard. Others even considered the possibility that Rio might be Mephisto’s daughter, Blackheart, due to her references to her “black heart.” However, by Episode 7 of Agatha All Along, it is revealed that Rio is not just any ancient sorceress or magical being—she is MCU version of Death itself, a cosmic entity that oversees life’s inevitable end.
This revelation is particularly significant within the MCU’s broader magical and cosmic framework. In the Marvel comics, Death is a powerful, sentient being who has had run-ins with major characters, including Thanos and Deadpool, both of whom became infatuated with her. While some fans expected a similar dynamic when Death was introduced into the MCU, Agatha All Along turns that expectation on its head. Instead of Thanos or Deadpool, Death’s emotional entanglement is with Agatha Harkness, adding layers of complexity and tragedy to their rivalry.
Moreover, Episode 7 introduces the idea that Rio’s “black heart” is not just a metaphor for her emotional connection to Agatha, but a literal manifestation of her powers as Death. Rio’s powers are far more dangerous and volatile than anything Agatha has encountered before, and their mutual inability to kill one another hints at a deep magical bond between them—one that stretches beyond the typical rules of witchcraft.
The Cosmic Nature of Death in the MCU
In Marvel Comics, Death is a cosmic entity with the power to manipulate time and reality. Often depicted as a skeletal figure, Mistress Death has had profound connections to powerful beings like Thanos, who was infamously enamored with her. However, the MCU takes a unique approach by introducing Rio Vidal as the cosmic Death rather than following the typical skeletal portrayal.
While Rio retains some elements from her comic counterpart, her introduction in Agatha All Along flips expectations. In Episode 7, titled “Death’s Hand in Mine,” Lilia Calderu, a clairvoyant witch, finally reveals Rio’s true identity: “Rio. She’s Death.” This monumental moment unveils Rio’s role as a being tied not only to life’s end but also to the forces that regulate the cosmic cycle. Her introduction as Death adds a deeper dimension to the series, intertwining emotional stakes with the fate of the universe.
What’s Next for Rio Vidal?
With the reveal of Rio Vidal as the Original Green Witch and Death, her future in the MCU holds limitless possibilities. As a cosmic entity with ties to both the magical and supernatural realms, Rio could easily make further appearances in upcoming MCU projects. With supernatural-focused titles like Doctor Strange 3, Midnight Suns, Scarlet Witch, and Blade on the horizon, Rio’s involvement could help bridge the gap between the MCU’s magical and cosmic storylines.
Additionally, the deep emotional connection between Rio and Agatha Harkness leaves room for further exploration. As Agatha All Along continues to develop Agatha’s story, Rio may return, either as an adversary or an unexpected ally. Given her powers and her history with Agatha, Rio’s future appearances are likely to have significant repercussions not only for the characters she encounters but for the MCU as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Rio Vidal is far more than a typical magical rival to Agatha Harkness—she is a cosmic force with an ancient and mysterious past. Her powers as the Original Green Witch and Death make her one of the most intriguing new characters in the MCU, and her complex relationship with Agatha adds emotional depth to her story. As the MCU expands its supernatural and magical universe, it’s clear that Rio’s journey has only just begun. Whether as a major player in future MCU projects or as a lingering presence in Agatha’s story, Rio Vidal’s role in the MCU promises to grow, revealing more layers to this already compelling character.
