| “ | When we were all in the Academy together, he threw me over for that mortal tramp, Diana. Then they died, which was right and just. And I rose in the Church of Night's ranks. But then Zelda comes in, she starts to teach, she catches the eye of the High Priest. No, I won't have a Spellman ascend over me, sorry. | ” |
Shirley Jackson was a recurring character on Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She was portrayed by Rochelle Greenwood.
Sister Shirley was a witch and a teacher at the Academy of Unseen Arts.
Early Life[]
When Shirley was a student at the Academy of Unseen Arts, she was in a relationship with Edward Spellman, but he broke up with her in order to be with the mortal Diana. Shirley later became a teacher in the house of Night.
Throughout Chilling Adventures of Sabrina[]
Part 2[]
Bitter Rivalry with Zelda[]
Sister Shirley confronts Zelda about her relationship with Father Blackwood
At the Boil and Bubble challenge, Sister Shirley confronts Zelda about her relationship with Father Blackwood, which Shirley remarks as being shameful considering his wife just died. Some are even saying Zelda had a hand in her demise.[1]
At the Academy of Unseen Arts, Zelda arrives Faustus Blackwood's office just as Sister Shirley Jackson exits. The two witches are unhappy to see each other, and Shirley leaves. Shirley later attempts to kill Zelda by pushing a Gargoyle of the banister.
Shirley almost jumps to her death
While Zelda rehearsals with the students, Shirley teleports her Familiar a Frog in Zelda’s Throat to humiliate her. In retaliation Zelda puts an ear-worm in Shirley's head. Sister Shirley then accuses Zelda of having an inappropriate relationship with Father Blackwood, to which Zelda tells her to throw herself off the balcony. And because Zelda cursed her with an ear-worm, Shirley does exactly as instructed. She heads up to the balcony and stands on the banister, ready to jump to her death. Zelda shows mercy and issues a warning to Shirley and anyone else who dares cross her.[2]
Hilda kills Shirley
Shirley later raises the ghost of Constance Blackwood and tells her that Zelda murdered her and stole her children and is going to steal her husband. After Hilda got rid of Constance, she invites Shirley over to talk about Zelda. Hilda demands to know why she conjured up the ghost of Lady Blackwood. Shirley takes a quick liking to the biscuits as Hilda reiterates her question. Shirley says that she bears a grudge against their brother Edward for dumping her in favor of the mortal, Diana. Shirley rose to a senior teaching position in the House of Night and resents Zelda for supplanting her. She vows not to have a Spellman ascend over her, leading Hilda to describe her as petty and selfish. Shirley suggests that Hilda join forces with her to bring about Zelda’s downfall while gorging on more biscuits. Hilda responds that folks tend to underestimate her as meek and mild. Hilda affirms her love for her sister and warns that there "will be Heaven to pay" for anyone who threatens her family. Shirley asks if Hilda is threatening her and reveals that she has been wearing a protection that guards her from all magical attacks ever since Zelda put that earworm in her head. However, Hilda responds that she has laced the almond cookies with cyanide. Shirley chokes before breathing her last breath.[3]
Physical Appearance[]
Shirley was an older woman with a light skin complexion, brown eyes, and short brown hair.
Personality[]
Shirley was a petty, bitter, envious and spiteful witch. She held a strong and malicious grudge against Zelda Spellman because Edward Spellman had ditched her for Diana, a mortal woman. She kept antagonizing Zelda until Hilda Spellman poisoned her with cyanide in her almond cookies.
Powers and Abilities[]
Shirley possessed the standard abilities of a witch, such as spell casting, longevity, and telekinesis, though she never preformed any notable feats aside from when she teleported her familiar into Zelda's mouth.
Appearances[]
Part 2[]
- "Chapter Twelve: The Epiphany"
- "Chapter Thirteen: The Passion of Sabrina Spellman"
- "Chapter Sixteen: Blackwood"
Trivia[]
- Shirley Jackson is inspired by real-life writer Shirley Jackson, notable for her gothic horror fiction.
- The character's final significant act which leads to her death and involved a vengeful ghost, is seemingly an homage to her novel The Haunting of Hill House, one of the most influential ghost stories in Western literature.
- Coincidentally, Netflix aired an adaptation of the story just a few months prior to the character making her debut on Sabrina. Mckenna Grace starred in the production.
- Rochelle Greenwood, who portrayed Shirley, had previously provided voice work for the 1999 production of Sabrina the Animated Series.
- Shirley's grudge against Edward is a parallel with Iola, aka Madam Satan, who was ditched for Diana in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comics.
Gallery[]
- See also: Category:Images of Shirley Jackson
References[]
- ↑ Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto (writer) & Sullivan, Kevin (director) (April 5, 2019). "Chapter Twelve: The Epiphany". Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Part 2. Episode 1. Netflix.
- ↑ Oanh, Ly (writer) & Richardson-Whitfield, Salli (director) (April 5, 2019). "Chapter Fourteen: Lupercalia". Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Part 2. Episode 3. Netflix.
- ↑ Barry, Matthew (writer) & Pillai, Alex (director) (April 5, 2019). "Chapter Sixteen: Blackwood". Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Part 2. Episode 5. Netflix.