- Jenna Ortega teases more horror and an action-packed feel in the second season of Netflix series Wednesday.
- Ortega ensures that the comedy and iconic one-liners from The Addams Family will still be present in the show.
- Ortega talks about her excitement for her role in Beetlejuice 2, mentioning visually exciting practical effects and an incredible ensemble cast.
Hollywood actress Jenna Ortega recently shared some insight into two of her highly anticipated projects, Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2. While attending the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, she revealed that Wednesday’s second season will lean more into “horror”, while still maintaining the iconic character fans are familiar with.
Ortega stated, “We’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror. It’s really, really exciting because, all throughout the show, while Wednesday does need a little bit of an arc, she never really changes and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”
She also reassured E! on the red carpet that fans of the comedy in The Addams Family and Wednesday will be satisfied with the continued presence of “really, really good one-liners” and a more action-packed experience: “Each episode will probably feel a little bit more like a movie, which is nice.”
The first season of Wednesday, which began in 2022, has been a major success for Netflix. The show follows a teenage Wednesday Addams as she navigates her emerging psychic abilities and a killing spree at Nevermore Academy. The second season is set to begin filming in spring 2024, with plans for Netflix to launch a franchise, including an Uncle Fester spinoff reportedly in development.
In addition to her role in Wednesday, Ortega stars in Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice 2. She portrays Astrid Deetz, the daughter of Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz from the original film. Speaking with ET at the Emmy Awards, Ortega described the Beetlejuice 2 set as “so exciting” visually and revealed the use of practical effects and sets.
She shared her enthusiasm for the project: “[It’s] some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a set. Visually, so exciting. Everything was practical…I think we’re not using very much CGI or something like that at all.”
Ortega also praised the cast, which includes Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, and Arthur Conti: “Everyone did an incredible job. I felt so lucky to be there, it was insane … I can’t wait for people to see.”
The first season of Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix, with a release date for the second season yet to be announced. Beetlejuice 2 is set for theatrical release by Warner Bros. Pictures on September 6, 2024.