Netflix’s new Addams Household collection, “Wednesday,” starring Jenna Ortega, is sort of right here. On Sept. 23, the streamer lastly introduced that the collection is coming in November, simply in time for a Thanksgiving marathon watch. On Oct. 8, Netflix unveiled the official trailer for the present at New York Comedian Con (NYCC), the place POPSUGAR was available, and it featured first glimpses at Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester and a much-anticipated first take a look at former Wednesday Addams Christina Ricci in her brand-new, hush-hush position.
In a video Netflix launched on Oct. 19, director Tim Burton opens up about his relationship to the collection. “The Addams Household may be very symbolic of how I really feel about households,” he says within the video. “I imply, I believe all households are unusual. I notably love Wednesday as a result of she shares my worldview on issues, and that was enjoyable to discover.”
Ortega additionally displays on Burton within the video, saying she’s a longtime fan. “I used to have constant goals about ‘Beetlejuice’ once I was youthful,” she mentioned, including that Burton was undoubtedly good for the job. “Goth involves him very naturally,” she mentioned.
Again on Aug. 24, Ortega mirrored on taking part in the enduring character in one other video shared by Netflix. In it, she shares that whereas she thinks she’s already fairly just like Wednesday, she additionally spent two days every week studying to fence and two days every week taking part in cello to organize for the position. The present’s inventive workforce additionally mirror on bringing to life an older Wednesday in a coming-of-age story.
The ’90s Wednesday Addams, Ricci, revealed to Selection earlier this yr that it has been a pleasure to observe Ortega step into the position on the set of “Wednesday.” “Jenna is unbelievable,” Ricci mentioned. “I noticed among the wardrobe photographs earlier than I went [to set] so I knew [what she looked like in character] and I used to be like, it is such an amazing trendy tackle Wednesday. It is so true tonally to the center and soul of [the original], however then it is extremely trendy and it is nice.”
Though she’s not taking part in Wednesday, Ricci will seem in Netflix’s upcoming collection, and the star informed Selection she’s cherished stepping again into the gothic world of the Addams Household. “It is tremendous enjoyable,” the “Yellowjackets” star informed the publication. “I cherished working with Tim [Burton]. I labored with [Gwendoline] Christie, it was wonderful.”
Ortega additionally opened up about engaged on the undertaking and collaborating with Burton in January. She informed The Hollywood Reporter: “It has been fairly an insane expertise. I have been fortunate sufficient to get the chance to work with an iconic director who simply so occurs to be one of many sweetest administrators I’ve labored with, and in addition essentially the most detail-oriented. To step into the footwear of any person who’s a bit extra eccentric and horrifying has been actually thrilling for me, and undoubtedly a problem — particularly with such a beloved character, I actually wish to handle her and do her justice.”
Ortega additionally mentioned the strain of taking part in a personality who’s already so beloved. “The factor is, there are a number of completely different paths that anybody might have taken for this character,” she defined. “We have by no means seen Wednesday Addams as a teenage woman, so a few of her harsh mannerisms could come off as hilarious when she’s youthful, however as you become old, how a lot of that may you get away with? Or how do you retain that on the forefront of her persona with out individuals rising to dislike her or discover her annoying? So simply making an attempt to steadiness that . . . I’ve by no means felt a lot strain on a job, and I am making an attempt to maintain my cool.”
The actor teased how completely different she appears as Wednesday in comparison with her traditional self, saying: “I believe it is most likely essentially the most bodily transformation I’ve ever completed; I reduce my hair, and it is black, and mannerism-wise, talking cadence-wise, expression-wise, I am making an attempt to tug from a special toolbox this time round. I believe it is a shock to the viewers, however myself as nicely.”
Learn on for every part we learn about “Wednesday,” together with the solid, trailer, first-look photographs, and launch date.
— Further reporting by Sabienna Bowman