Wednesday’ Is A Hit – But For Jenna Ortega, It’s Not What You Think

Inside the Gothic World That Tested One of Hollywood’s Brightest Stars

“I don’t believe in heaven or hell. But I do believe in revenge.” — Wednesday Addams

Netflix recently released the first four episodes of Wednesday Season 2, returning fans to the moody halls of Nevermore Academy and the eerily brilliant world of Wednesday Addams. With its perfect mix of modern teen drama and vintage gothic horror, the series quickly returned to the center of pop culture conversation. And once again, all eyes are on Jenna Ortega, the lead actress whose portrayal of Wednesday Addams continues to captivate audiences around the globe.

But fame and praise often come with a cost. In a candid reflection on her experience, Jenna Ortega says ‘Wednesday’ nearly broke her, revealing just how intense the filming process was.

Jenna Ortega and the Weight of Expectation

While Jenna Ortega is no stranger to acting under pressure, the expectations surrounding Wednesday are on another level. Season 1 was an unexpected global phenomenon, turning Ortega into a household name and cultural icon. The role required more than just acting skill. Ortega had to embody a complex character while undergoing intensive training that went far beyond the script.

She trained for months on the cello to convincingly perform on screen. She mastered archery and fencing to prepare for action sequences. She attended dawn canoeing sessions, memorized German dialogue, and rehearsed extensive stunt choreography while balancing a packed filming schedule and promotional commitments.

In a recent interview, Ortega opened up about her behind-the-scenes experience, stating that the entire production felt chaotic and overwhelming. She described long hours on set, the mental pressure of maintaining her performance, and the physical exhaustion that came from doing so many of her own stunts. It was, in her words, the most stressful and confusing project she had ever taken on.

Why Wednesday Addams Strikes a Chord With Viewers

So why does Wednesday Addams, a character created nearly 90 years ago, still resonate so deeply with modern audiences?

Part of it is the way Jenna Ortega reimagines the character. Her version of Wednesday isn’t just dark for darkness’s sake. She’s intelligent, hyper-aware, deeply introspective, and emotionally guarded. In an era when young people are pressured to present curated, filtered versions of themselves online, Wednesday stands apart by not caring at all what people think.

Ortega has spoken openly about how social media and modern culture leave people constantly questioning their sense of self. Wednesday, by contrast, is fully formed. She knows exactly who she is. That unshakable identity offers a kind of strange comfort and inspiration to audiences, particularly Gen Z viewers navigating a world that often demands conformity.

Gothic as Identity, Not Just Aesthetic

Many critics have labeled Wednesday as “gothic” — and rightfully so. But gothic in this series isn’t just a stylistic choice. It’s part of the show’s soul.

From haunted forests to shadowy hallways, from eerie crypts to psychic visions, every frame of the show evokes the traditional elements of gothic storytelling. Penguin Books describes gothic literature as revolving around mystery, mortality, supernatural forces, and the psychological landscape of fear and identity. These qualities appear throughout Wednesday, not just in setting and costume, but in the emotional world the characters inhabit.

For Jenna Ortega, this gothic identity isn’t just in the lines she speaks or the clothing she wears. It’s embedded in her performance. She plays Wednesday as a person who sees the darkness in the world, acknowledges it, and chooses to face it alone. That’s more than spooky—it’s brave.

Nevermore Academy Expands in Season 2

Season 2 of Wednesday expands the universe in new ways, bringing back familiar characters and introducing strange new faces. Pugsley Addams, Wednesday’s brother, is now a student at Nevermore and discovering strange powers of his own. Morticia and Gomez return with their usual flair, with Catherine Zeta-Jones delivering a grand performance as Morticia and Luis Guzmán leaning into Gomez’s eccentric charm.

A major highlight of the new season is the appearance of Steve Buscemi as the peculiar Principal Barry Dort. His performance adds a surreal layer to the show, fitting in perfectly with Nevermore’s offbeat faculty and unpredictable students.

Despite the chaos, fans are thrilled to be reunited with the Addams clan. The return of supporting characters, the deepening of existing relationships, and the continual unveiling of Nevermore’s mysteries give the show fresh momentum.

Critical Reception and Viewer Response

The early response to Wednesday Season 2 has been positive. The Rotten Tomatoes critic score rose from 73% in Season 1 to 82% in Season 2. Critics praised the show’s improved pacing, tighter storytelling, and the confident tone it has now embraced. The Financial Times called it “a gothic charm revival,” while other outlets highlighted Ortega’s performance as a standout reason to keep watching.

And Ortega deserves every word of praise. Even when the story becomes outrageous or leans heavily into supernatural absurdity, her performance grounds the show. She brings a seriousness to Wednesday that makes everything around her—talking plants, secret societies, psychic visions—feel plausible.

Jenna Ortega’s Balance of Grit and Grace

Despite the massive workload, Jenna Ortega never phones it in. She brings a level of commitment to the role that goes beyond professionalism. It’s personal. Her Wednesday is layered with nuance—grief, fury, love, isolation—and none of it is overplayed.

Her work ethic is relentless. She’s known to rework scripts, contribute to character development, and immerse herself in every creative detail. This level of intensity may be one reason she described the job as nearly breaking her. But it’s also why her performance is so unforgettable.

Ortega shows us the reality of being a young actor at the center of a cultural storm. It isn’t always glamorous. It’s demanding, exhausting, and sometimes nearly impossible. But when done with integrity, it can also be art.

Conclusion: The Weight of Playing Wednesday Addams

When Jenna Ortega says ‘Wednesday’ nearly broke her, it’s not a complaint—it’s a reflection on the reality of art made under pressure. Her work on the series shows how much passion, preparation, and personal sacrifice is required to bring a character like Wednesday Addams to life.

The success of Wednesday rests not just on clever writing or stylish visuals, but on Ortega’s ability to embody complexity. She reminds us that pain, awkwardness, loneliness, and wit can all coexist—and that being different isn’t a weakness, but a strength.

As Season 2 unfolds, fans will continue watching not just for the twists and turns, but for the quiet moments when Ortega, without saying a word, shows exactly why she’s one of the most talented young actors working today.