Honestly, when Hannah Waddingham swooped into the frame during the opening minutes of Hocus Pocus 2, the vibe shifted. It wasn't just another sequel moment. It felt like we were finally getting the keys to a kingdom we’d only peeked at since 1993.
The Hannah Waddingham Hocus Pocus connection is one of those rare casting wins that actually makes the lore better. She plays the "Mother Witch," a character who is basically the godmother of all the chaos the Sanderson sisters have caused for three decades. But here’s the thing: most people think she was just a flashy cameo. She wasn’t. She’s the literal origin point for Winifred’s entire personality.
Who is the Mother Witch, really?
We first meet her in the 1600s, deep in the forbidden woods of Salem. She doesn't just walk; she arrives as a bird—a majestic, slightly terrifying raptor—before shifting into a woman with silver hair and eyes that glow with a purple hue that should honestly come with a warning label.
Waddingham brings this "sexy-scary" energy that is totally different from Bette Midler’s campy, over-the-top Winifred. She’s ancient. She’s powerful. And she’s lonely.
One of the most interesting details is that she actually intended to eat the Sanderson sisters. That was the plan! But then she sees Winifred’s temper. She smells the raw, unrefined power radiating off this 16-year-old girl who just got kicked out of her home for refusing to marry some guy she didn't like. Instead of a snack, the Mother Witch sees a successor.
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The Gift of "Book"
The most iconic prop in the franchise is, without a doubt, the Manual of Witchcraft and Alchemy. You know it as "Book." Before the Hannah Waddingham Hocus Pocus debut, we always assumed the book came from the devil. That’s what the first movie hinted at.
But the sequel retcons this—or adds a layer, depending on how you look at it. The Mother Witch hands the book to Winifred as a 16th birthday present. It’s a passing of the torch. But she gives a very specific warning: "Do not do the Magicae Maxima."
- She knows the cost.
- She’s clearly lost her own coven.
- She warns that a witch is nothing without her sisters.
It’s a bit of foreshadowing that hits way harder once you see the end of the movie. Waddingham’s character is essentially a cautionary tale wrapped in a velvet cloak.
Why the Fans are Obsessed with a 10-Minute Role
It's wild. Hannah Waddingham is on screen for maybe ten minutes total, yet she’s all anyone talked about after the premiere. Part of that is the "Ted Lasso" effect—everyone loves her—but it’s also the nuance. She manages to be maternal and predatory at the same time.
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She tells the girls that Salem is "run by fools." It’s a line that resonates because it explains why the Sandersons grew up hating the town so much. They weren't just born evil; they were mentored into believing they were the rightful rulers of a place that rejected them.
Will She Return in Hocus Pocus 3?
This is the big question. Disney has already confirmed a third movie is in development. Screenwriter Jen D'Angelo has been pretty vocal about the fact that they've "only scratched the surface" of the Mother Witch.
There are some heavy theories floating around. In the final shots of Hocus Pocus 2, a red bird is seen flying over the new coven (Becca, Izzy, and Cassie). That’s her. She’s still watching.
Some fans think she might actually be the villain of the third film. Think about it. Winifred is gone (mostly). The new girls have the power. If the Mother Witch wants her "Book" back or wants to reclaim Salem herself, she’s a much more formidable threat than the Sandersons ever were. She’s not distracted by musical numbers or Walgreens makeup. She’s the real deal.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Hannah Waddingham Hocus Pocus lore before the next movie drops, here is what you should actually do:
- Rewatch the prologue of the second film and pay attention to the Mother Witch’s eyes when she mentions the "Magicae Maxima" spell. They glow the same purple as Winifred’s do later. It’s a hint she’s performed the spell herself and lost her coven because of it.
- Look at the costume design. Her outfit has subtle nods to Dani Dennison’s witch costume from the original 1993 film. It’s a "full circle" Easter egg that suggests her influence on Salem spans generations.
- Follow the bird. Keep an eye out for that specific hawk/crow imagery. In the Hocus Pocus universe, if a bird is lingering too long, it’s probably Hannah Waddingham.
The most important takeaway? Don't dismiss her as a flashback character. Every interview with the production team suggests she is the "Big Bad" waiting in the wings. She gave them the power, and she’s the only one who truly knows how to take it back.
I've been tracking the production updates for the third film, and while a release date is still a ways off, the focus on expanding the "Witch Mother" backstory is the most promising lead we have. It turns a fun Halloween flick into a genuine dark fantasy epic.
Next Step: You can analyze the Hocus Pocus 2 post-credits scene again; notice the second Black Flame Candle in Gilbert’s shop—it’s the most likely way the Mother Witch makes her move in the sequel.