The Netflix original series Wednesday has found its Wednesday Adams in Jenny Ortega (Yes Day). Based upon the tales of the beloved and strange Addams family member, the eight-part first season will be directed in its entirety by Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands), as reported by Indiewire.
The upcoming series aims to give the titular role her own story, offering how she see’s the world through her own unique pair of eyes. Indiewire picked up the official synopsis from Netflix: “The series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.”
Ortega is no stranger to Netflix, as she starred in the streamer’s popular 2021 film Yes Day alongside Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30) and Edgar Ramirez (The Undoing). She was also featured in the second season of the Lifetime turned Netflix original series You. Her other notable roles include playing the young version of Jane in The CW series Jane the Virgin. She also starred in the acclaimed independent 2021 film The Fallout.
After news of Ortega’s casting broke on Wednesday, the actress posted on Instagram to share a selfie of her with a script for the upcoming series. She wrote: “New chapter. Hope I can do Wednesday Addams justice. *snaps twice*.”
See Ortega’s full post on Instagram below:
In addition to directing the series, Burton will executive produce alongside Andrew Mittman (Alphas), Steve Stark (The Event), Kevin Miserocchi (Tee and Charles Addams Foundation), Kayla Alpert (Up All Night), Jonathan Glickman (Addams Family 2), and Gail Berman (Alphas).