Jenna Ortega's 'Addams Family' Show 'Wednesday' — Details

*Snaps twice* Jenna Ortega is joining the Addams Family universe as Wednesday Addams for the Netflix series Wednesday.

“To step into the shoes of somebody who’s a bit more eccentric and frightening has been really exciting for me, and definitely a challenge — especially with such a beloved character, I really want to take care of her and do her justice,” the former Disney Channel star told The Hollywood Reporter in January 2022 of the role, nothing that fans have “never” seen this version of the character before. “I’ve never felt so much pressure on a job, and I’m trying to keep my cool.”

Jenna was announced as the show’s star in May 2021. At the time, Deadline reported that the show would be directed by Tim Burton of Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas fame. Jenna, for her part, reacted to the news with an Instagram post. “New chapter. Hope I can do Wednesday Addams justice,” she wrote alongside a selfie with the show’s script.

Production on the show kicked off in September 2021 in Romania and Jenna underwent, what she called, “the most physical transformation I’ve ever done.”

She told THR: “I cut my hair, and it’s black, and mannerism-wise, speaking cadence-wise, expression-wise, I’m trying to pull from a different toolbox this time around. I think it’s a surprise to the audience, but myself as well.”

Ahead of the show’s casting news, the Stuck in the Middle alum told Cosmopolitan in April 2021 that she started to focus on more “passion projects” following her Disney Channel days.

“I do want to do projects that challenge me a little bit more and put me in situations that I may not necessarily be able to initially relate to, just to push myself and see what I can do,” Jenna shared at the time.

This reimagined version of The Addams Family character will be an eight-episode supernatural mystery series that follows Wednesday’s time attending Nevermore Academy as she masters her psychic ability. At the same time, she’s investigating a mysterious killing spree that has reemerged after 25 years. Fans got a first look at the series in June 2022.

“I think it’s the scariest role I’ve ever done because I’ve never played such a character before,” Jenna told NYLON in January 2022. “She’s iconic and extremely cherished and valuable in the horror community. I really, really want to do her justice, but I also want her to be something new.”

Scroll through our gallery for everything you need to know about Wednesday so far.

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Becoming Wednesday

“All throughout my life, people have told me I gave off a Wednesday vibe, at least in terms of sarcasm,” Jenna told Bustle in August 2021. “I need to watch my sarcasm sometimes because I think people think I’m too serious.”

The actress explained that there’s “a lot of pressure” when it comes to playing the role but wants to put “a different spin” on it.

“I’ve never been more intimidated by a project,” Jenna added. “One, I’ve never played a character who’s been [played] by someone else before. There have been two other actresses who played the role. And I kid you not: I don’t know how they could get any better.”

Jenna’s Costars

Christina Ricci, who played the original Wednesday Addams, is set to play “an exciting new character,” according to Netflix.

Teen Angst

“Wednesday is a one-liner character. She usually just says the joke. We’ve never spent so much on-screen time with her before,” Jenna explained to NYLON. “So, how do you take this deadpan, dry, sarcastic character and give her some sort of range and volume enough to carry and lead a story without taking away from who she truly is?”

Staying Authentic

“As somebody who struggled with relating to people onscreen or feeling any sort of representation, I wanted to give that to Wednesday and give attention to something that’s always been a part of her,” the star told USA Today in January 2022, noting Wednesday “is a Latina and that’s never really been addressed.”

Bringing Wednesday to Life

“It was really important to me that I did something different, even though she’s been done so flawlessly in the past,” Jenna said of the role in a Netflix behind-the-scenes video released in August 2022. “She’s a bit more socially awkward; there’s a confidence there, but it’s more concealed.”

The actress added, “Wednesday is technically a Latina character and that’s never been represented so, for me, anytime I have an opportunity to represent my community, I want that to be seen.”