“She Was Always Wednesday”: Chilling Disney Clip of Jenna Ortega Goes Viral

The highly anticipated Season 2 of Wednesday has finally dropped in full on Netflix, and fans can’t get enough of Jenna Ortega’s performance as the iconic Wednesday Addams. While her portrayal continues to earn praise for its depth and dedication, what might surprise many is that Ortega had been showing signs of her Addams Family potential years before donning Wednesday’s black braids and signature stare.

Back in her Disney Channel days, Ortega was already making waves with her natural screen presence and comedic timing. One moment in particular from her Stuck in the Middle years has resurfaced on social media—and it’s convincing fans that she was always destined to play Wednesday.

Let’s explore the early signs that Jenna Ortega was a perfect candidate for the role of Wednesday Addams, long before she ever stepped foot into Nevermore Academy.

Jenna Ortega’s Rise to Fame: From Disney Channel to Netflix Star

Before she was solving mysteries and embracing the macabre as Wednesday Addams, Jenna Ortega was a household name among younger audiences. From 2016 to 2018, she starred in the Disney Channel original series Stuck in the Middle, playing Harley Diaz, a brilliant inventor navigating life as one of seven siblings.

The show was a fun, family-centered sitcom, but Ortega’s role as Harley stood out. She brought intelligence, sarcasm, and emotional depth to a character that easily could have been written off as another quirky kid in a big family. Ortega’s Harley often showed signs of independence, cleverness, and a certain dry wit—qualities that would one day define her role as Wednesday.

In fact, one particular line from the very first episode of Stuck in the Middle has resurfaced recently. It made the rounds again on social media after the release of Wednesday Season 2. In that episode, Harley compares herself to being the “Wednesday” of her own family—a not-so-subtle foreshadowing of her future.

Manifesting Her Future Role as Wednesday Addams

When fans look back at that early Disney Channel moment, it’s hard not to feel like Jenna Ortega manifested her future. Playing a character who is “the Wednesday of the family” and then actually taking on the legendary Addams Family character years later feels like more than coincidence.

Though Harley Diaz and Wednesday Addams are very different characters in tone and personality, they share a few striking similarities. Both are intelligent, independent, and not easily swayed by the chaos around them. And perhaps more importantly, both characters carry the burden of standing out in their families.

Ortega herself has mentioned in past interviews that even during her Disney Channel years, she was already dreaming big. Though she appreciated the opportunity Disney gave her, she was determined to break out of the child star mold and take on more challenging roles.

Hard Work Behind the Scenes: Jenna Ortega’s Busy Disney Schedule

Although Stuck in the Middle was a lighthearted family show, Ortega’s time on Disney wasn’t all fun and games. She’s been candid about how demanding the production schedule could be, and how her mother played a big role in helping her stay grounded and protected in the entertainment industry.

The show ran for three seasons and nearly 60 episodes, giving Ortega invaluable on-set experience. While the tone and content were different from her later projects, it laid the foundation for the discipline and professionalism that she’s now known for.

In later years, after documentaries like Quiet on Set drew attention to issues within child acting environments, Ortega acknowledged how grateful she was that her mom shielded her from much of the darker side of the industry. This strong support system allowed her to transition smoothly into more mature and intense roles, such as those in You, The Fallout, and of course, Wednesday.

Wednesday Season 2: Ortega Shines Again

The release of Wednesday Season 2 on Netflix marks another major milestone in Ortega’s career. Her commitment to the role has continued to impress viewers and critics alike. From perfecting Wednesday’s deadpan delivery to immersing herself in the gothic world of Nevermore, Ortega proves again why she was the ideal casting choice.

While she’s admitted in interviews that filming could be stressful and even overwhelming at times, it’s clear that Ortega gives every role her all. Even moments when she wanted to “pull her hair out” during production, she still delivered a compelling and nuanced performance.

In Season 2, Wednesday faces new challenges, more mysteries, and the return of familiar characters, making it a must-watch for fans of the show. The storytelling has matured, and so has Ortega’s portrayal—adding new layers to an already beloved character.

Wednesday Season 3 Is Officially on the Way

Even though Season 2 has just been released, Netflix has already confirmed a Season 3. The announcement was made prior to the release of Part 1, signaling the platform’s confidence in the show’s success.

While no official premiere date has been announced, fans are already buzzing with theories, especially following the dramatic cliffhanger involving Enid. Given the scale of production and fan interest, it’s likely that Season 3 will continue to elevate the series and give Ortega more space to explore the complexity of her character.

Until then, viewers can rewatch the first two seasons on Netflix—and maybe even revisit Stuck in the Middle on Disney+ to witness Jenna Ortega’s early work and see the full-circle moment for themselves.

Why Jenna Ortega Was Always the Perfect Choice for Wednesday

Casting a character like Wednesday Addams isn’t easy. She’s iconic, beloved, and has been portrayed by different actresses over the decades, each bringing something unique to the role. But Jenna Ortega’s performance feels definitive for a new generation.

It’s not just about the look, the voice, or the choreography (though her viral dance scene helped). It’s the nuance in her performance, the way she balances sarcasm with sincerity, and how she grounds the outlandish world of the Addams Family with emotional realism.

Watching her younger self in Stuck in the Middle only confirms this. Even in her early years, Ortega displayed a sharp comedic sense, emotional intelligence, and screen presence well beyond her age. Those qualities now serve her well as Wednesday.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jenna Ortega?

As Jenna Ortega continues to expand her filmography, it’s clear she’s more than just a Netflix breakout. Her work in horror, drama, and now in genre-defining roles like Wednesday is proof that she’s here to stay.

With Wednesday Season 3 on the horizon and her film career gaining momentum, Ortega is establishing herself as one of the most versatile young actresses in Hollywood today.

For fans who have followed her since the Disney Channel era, it’s a joy to watch her career evolve. And for newer fans who met her through Wednesday, discovering her earlier work only adds to the appreciation.

Final Thoughts

That brief moment in Stuck in the Middle, where Jenna Ortega compared her character to “the Wednesday of the family,” might have seemed like a throwaway line back then. But today, it feels like a glimpse into the future. Whether intentional or not, Ortega’s early work foreshadowed her eventual breakout as Wednesday Addams, and the results have been nothing short of extraordinary.

So if you’re catching up on Wednesday Season 2 or waiting eagerly for Season 3, take a moment to go back in time. Watch young Jenna Ortega in her Disney years—and see how, even back then, she was quietly becoming the perfect Wednesday.