Back in February, we were teased with an upcoming Wednesday Addams live action television series coming to Netflix. It was announced early on that the series would be directed by the legendary Tim Burton and would depict Addams as an adolescent.
“The upcoming eight-episode series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday’s years as a student at the peculiar Nevermore Academy,” shares Netflix’s Teddy Biaselli in a press release published on February 17th. “Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago – all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships of the strange and diverse student body.”
On May 19th, our new Wednesday Addams was revealed to be actor Jenna Ortega, who took to Instagram to share the exciting news. “New chapter,” Ortega wrote in an Instagram post. “Hope I can do Wednesday Addams justice. *snaps twice*.” You may recognize Ortega from her previous television roles, as she played Young Jane Villanueva on The CW’s “Jane the Virgin” and Ellie Alves on Netflix’s “You.” Ortega has also established herself as an actor in the horror genre, appearing in 2013’s “Insidious: Chapter 2” and 2020’s “The Babysitter: Killer Queen.” She’s also expected to appear in 2022’s “Scream” and the upcoming A24 horror film “X.”
Ortega follows in the footsteps of the legendary actors who’ve portrayed Wednesday in past adaptations, notably Lisa Loring of “The Addams Family sitcom, Christina Ricci of 1991’s “The Addams Family” and 1993’s “Addams Family Values,” as well as Chloë Grace Moretz, who voiced the character in the 2019 animated film.
On August 9th, Netflix announced via Instagram that the roles of Morticia and Gomez Addams will be played by actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán. Zeta-Jones gained acclaim in Hollywood through her roles 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro,” 2002’s “Chicago” and 2013’s “Red 2.” She’s regarded as one of the most seductive, captivating and mysterious actors in Hollywood, making it clear why Netflix wanted her for the role of Morticia. Zeta-Jones will follow in the footsteps of actors Carolyn Jones of “The Addams Family” sitcom, Anjelica Huston of 1991’s “The Addams Family” and 1993’s “Addams Family Values,” as well as Charlize Theron, who voiced Morticia in the 2019 animated film.
Guzmán is best known for his roles in 1997’s “Boogie Nights,” HBO’s “How to Make It in America” and CBS’s “Code Black.” This isn’t the first time that Guzmán has acted alongside Zeta-Jones, as they were both part of the ensemble cast of 2000’s “Traffic.” Guzmán will follow in the footsteps of actors John Astin of “The Addams Family” sitcom, Raul Julia of 1991’s “The Addams Family” and 1993’s “Addams Family Values,” as well as Oscar Isaac, who voiced Gomez in the 2019 animated film.
Netflix has yet to announce when this series will premiere, but many are suspecting Halloween of 2022. Fans can expect more cast announcements over the next several months and you know we’re dying to see who fills Christopher Lloyd’s iconic shoes as Uncle Fester. What do you think of the casting choices? Do you think these actors will rise to the challenge? Let us know your thoughts on the upcoming Wednesday Addams series in the comments section on social media.
