Jenna Ortega Shines Brighter Than Ever in ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 — So Why Did Viewership Drop 43%?

When Season 1 of “Wednesday” stormed onto Netflix in late 2022, it quickly became a cultural juggernaut. The gothic teen drama, led by a pitch-perfect performance from Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, captured the attention of global audiences and shattered streaming records, becoming Netflix’s most-watched English-language series of all time with over 252 million views in its first 91 days.

So when Season 2 returned in a two-part release — with Part 1 in August and Part 2 in September 2025 — expectations were sky-high. Critically, many fans and reviewers felt that Season 2 delivered a stronger, darker, and more emotionally complex story, with Ortega’s performance deepening in nuance and maturity.

And yet, despite widespread praise, Season 2 Part 2 opened with only 28.2 million views, a 43.6% drop from Part 1, which debuted to 50 million. This sharp decline has left fans and analysts alike asking: How can a season that many agree was better than the first see such a significant drop in numbers?

Let’s unpack the paradox.

Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Is Stronger Than Ever

Let’s make one thing clear: Jenna Ortega has never been better as Wednesday Addams. In Season 2, she takes the character beyond deadpan sarcasm and stiff posture. Her performance is more emotionally layered, balancing vulnerability with stubbornness, and even allowing space for subtle growth in how Wednesday interacts with the world around her.

Viewers and critics noted that Ortega’s portrayal in Season 2 delves deeper into Wednesday’s emotional isolation, with standout scenes showcasing her internal conflicts, trust issues, and slow-burning relationships — especially with her friends Enid, Xavier, and even her mother, Morticia.

Many fans on social media described the season as “richer in story and character development,” with more satisfying arcs and less reliance on one-liners or formulaic mystery tropes.

So why the drop?

The Split-Season Release Strategy Backfired

One of the biggest culprits behind the 43% decline in viewership is likely Netflix’s decision to split the season into two parts.

While the strategy worked well for shows like Stranger Things, where suspense and cliffhangers built excitement, it seems to have hurt momentum for “Wednesday.” Season 2 Part 1 was released in August — right before many students returned to school and summer schedules shifted. Part 2, released in September, dropped with far less promotional fanfare.

By separating the final four episodes from the initial batch, Netflix may have disrupted audience flow. Some viewers opted to wait until both parts were out before watching. Others may not have realized more episodes had been released due to less aggressive marketing for Part 2.

Additionally, casual fans who finished Part 1 may have simply moved on to other content by the time Part 2 arrived — a common risk in today’s crowded streaming ecosystem.

The Novelty Factor Was Gone

Let’s not forget how fresh and unique Season 1 of “Wednesday” felt when it debuted.

Tim Burton’s aesthetic vision, the boarding school setting, the gothic mystery, and that instantly viral dance scene all contributed to a lightning-in-a-bottle effect. It was new, it was different, and it arrived at just the right time.

By contrast, Season 2 had to live up to a much higher bar — and it had to do so without the surprise factor that made Season 1 so binge-worthy. While Season 2 Part 2 is arguably better written, it didn’t offer the same shock value or meme-ready moments that fueled the original’s cultural dominance.

Viewer Fatigue and Binge-Watch Burnout

Another possible factor behind the drop in views is viewer fatigue. Audiences are now more selective with how they invest their time. With dozens of new shows launching every week, it’s easy to get overwhelmed — even with a series as beloved as “Wednesday.”

Add to that the split-season format, and we see a clear disruption in binge-watching behavior. For many, momentum was lost, and catching up with Part 2 simply didn’t feel urgent anymore.

This change in viewing behavior may be less a reflection of quality, and more a symptom of how modern audiences consume content.

Competition From Other Hit Shows

From Sept. 1–7, Netflix’s Top 10 English-language series chart was stacked with competition.

While “Wednesday” Season 2 Part 2 still ranked No. 1, it was closely followed by rising hits like “My Life With the Walter Boys”, which garnered 10.9 million views in its second week. The teen drama’s rising popularity has likely cut into “Wednesday”’s target audience — young viewers looking for coming-of-age stories with emotional weight.

In addition, newer offerings like “Hostage,” “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water,” and “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish” have created noise in Netflix’s content landscape.

Even the animated fantasy “KPop Demon Hunters” has been drawing big numbers, with 25.4 million views, only slightly below Wednesday’s Part 2 debut.

Simply put, there’s more to watch than ever, and attention spans are limited.

Positive Reception Can’t Always Guarantee Numbers

Despite the drop, it’s important to emphasize: “Wednesday” Season 2 is being positively received.

Social media sentiment, Reddit threads, and reviews show a fanbase that’s deeply engaged and appreciative of the show’s maturing tone. Some fans even argue that the lower viewership simply reflects a more focused, loyal core audience, rather than a global wave of curious casual viewers.

It’s also likely that many fans are still planning to binge both parts together — meaning the total viewership may rise significantly over the next several weeks.

Let’s not forget, the first season also built its massive 252 million views over a 91-day period, not just the first five days.

Is a Season 3 Still Likely? Absolutely.

Even with the dip in numbers, “Wednesday” remains one of Netflix’s flagship series, and Jenna Ortega’s star power has only grown. Between her Emmy nominations, blockbuster film roles, and influence on Gen Z culture, Ortega is a rare breakout talent that the platform is unlikely to let go of anytime soon.

Given that both parts of Season 2 still hit the Top 10 globally, and the series continues to dominate conversation online, a Season 3 renewal is highly likely — if not already quietly in development.

The show’s darker themes, slow-burn romances, and gothic mystery format offer plenty of room for evolution.

Final Thoughts: A Victim of Its Own Success?

So, why did “Wednesday” Season 2 drop 43% in views, even though it may have been better than Season 1?

It’s a combination of poor release timing, less marketing, viewer behavior shifts, and the absence of novelty that made Season 1 so viral.

But none of that changes the fact that Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams remains one of the most compelling characters on television, and that Season 2 — especially Part 2 — offers a deeper, smarter, and more emotionally satisfying ride than ever before.

Whether the view count recovers or not, the fans who stuck around know one thing for sure:

This Wednesday was worth the wait.