Jenna Ortega is the newest actress to play Wednesday Addams. Wednesday is the daughter of Morticia and Gomez Addams of the fictional Addams family. They first graced the small screen in the 1960s. Since then, the Addams family has had several remakes, whether in an animated series or in films.
The most recent actress who played Wednesday before Ortega was Chloe Grace Moretz in the animated films. Fans were ecstatic when Netflix announced another Addams Family show. There were many speculations about who would play the iconic characters, but in the end, Jenna Ortega, a budding actress, landed the titular role of Wednesday. And Ortega certainly didn’t disappoint in her portrayal of the taciturn goth girl.
Ortega’s portrayal was relatable, especially for the younger generation. She had the trademark Wednesday temperament and biting dark humor. Ortega also succeeds in making Wednesday have a cold, hard exterior but a soft and protective interior that the character needs. Wednesday said she didn’t care about the people around her, yet she still saved them using her visions.
One proof that Wednesday is a real softie is the scene where she finds Thing stabbed and pinned against the wall. It is the only time Wednesday shows so much emotion as she asks her uncle Fester to save the hand. While Fester is trying to revive Thing, Wednesday displays uncharacteristic emotion and secretly wipes her tears away while promising to get revenge on the culprit.
It was hinted in earlier episodes that Wednesday also cried for her pet scorpion when she was younger. This scene makes Wednesday more human and relatable. That, and the fact that at the beginning of the series, she put piranhas in the school pool to take revenge on her brother Pugsley’s bullies, showed that Wednesday is protective, even in the extreme.
Co-actress Joy Sunday, who plays Bianca Barclay in the series, said, “This is the first time you get to see Wednesday really being frantic, so you could tell she really cares about Thing, which is sweet.”
Jenna Ortega said, “It’s also a really important moment for Wednesday,” on Still Watching Netflix. She added, “I think it’s the only time we really see her cry,” and “I’m glad it was over him.”
Wednesday Addams has come to life with Jenna Ortega’s portrayal and Tim Burton’s guidance. Ortega shows the softer side of Wednesday but does not lose that intense personality that is a defining characteristic of the role.
Even though the first season just ended, fans have been clamoring for the next installment of the series. As of this writing, Netflix hasn’t given the green light for another season yet, but critics are optimistic about it. Based on the show’s performance on the streaming platform, there is a high chance that it will have another season.