During the Disney and Pixar showcase at this year’sD23Expo a brand-new official trailer was released forHocus Pocus 2, and we fell under the Sanderson Sisters' spell all over again. The second trailer gave us more than a sneak-peek at all the magic in store for us this September 30, it revealed the sisters' past, and a mysterious new character. Known only as “The Witch” - for now -Ted Lasso’sHannah Waddinghammade a surprise appearance bearing a very important gift for the young witches.
When theHocus Pocussequel wasfirst reported, long-time fans of the 1993 Halloween classic may have been a bit skeptical. Certainly there were questions pertaining to the possibility of these three ladies rising from dust, but if they could bringBette Midler,Sarah Jessica ParkerandKathy Najimyback then yes, we were on board, or broom. As the witching hour grew nearer more news spread, posters dropped and teasers were unveiled. Gleefully, the Sanderson Sisters rose from their banishment to wreak havoc across Salem once more! Yet, something washiding in plain sight all along- a mysterious raven that flew across Salem overhead, unassuming.
Turns out that raven is an important piece of the witchy puzzle. Inthe trailer conjured up for D23, it was revealed that fans will be getting some backstory on the sisters. This September we’ll meet a young Winifred, Sarah and Mary deep in the forests of Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600s - a famously bad time to be a young, sixteen-year-old girl. In the era of origin stories, we meet someone referred to only as “The Witch,” who’s revealed to be portrayed by Waddingham in the trailer. From the branches above the sisters the raven swoops down and transforms into a very glamorous woman as a reverend is heard casting out the children from their small town. The woman tells the sisters that “magic has a way of uniting,” and that the people of Salem were right to fear them, before presenting Winnie with The Book, sans eye!
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Though the trailer doesn’t explain who Waddingham’s character is or where she came from, she’s been watching the Sanderson Sisters, and she knew it was their sixteenth birthday. She provides the girls with the spell book that becomes the catalyst for their reign of terror, and it’s awfully suspicious that The Book, which means so much to Winnie and her sisters, doesn’t have that protective eye yet.
Waddingham is most recently known for her role as Rebecca Welton, the owner of the AFC Richmond team in Apple TV+’s hit seriesTed Lasso.The performance earned the actress a Primetime Emmy Award as well as a SAG Award. Waddingham’s previous roles also include the treacherous andshamefulSepta Unella in HBO’sGame of Thrones, Sofia Marchetti inSex Educationand a recurring role onKrypton. AfterHocus Pocus 2, fans can catch Waddingham alongsideChris PrattandSamuel L. JacksonintheGarfieldadaptationset for a 2024 premiere.
Hocus Pocus 2will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 30. You can watch the full trailer from D23 below:
