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| the addams family |
The quirky, spooky Addams Family has long been a household name. From the original comics and 1964 television series to the (dare we say iconic?) movie adaptations in the 1990s, the eccentric family is everyone's favorite spooky clan. Now, Netflix is releasing a spinoff series created by Tim Burton and based on none other than Wednesday Addams, the family's expressionless, death-obsessed teen daughter.
So let's get into the gory details! The horror-comedy will star Jenna Ortega (You) as the titular character, making it the first time Wednesday has been accurately portrayed by a Latina actress being the daughter of Gomez and Morticia Addams. The series is described as "a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams' years as a student at Nevermore Academy."
Here's everything else we know about the series so far.
Jenna Ortega, Wednesday
Matthias Clamer/NetflixRelease Date
Netflix hasn't announced an official release date, although the trailer and posters say fall 2022. Does this mean we can have it in time for spooky season? *Screams internally*
There's still no information on the rollout schedule, aka if we'll be able to binge it all at once or wait for weekly episodes, but Netflix's M.O. is all at once, so that's what we're expecting.
Trailer
The newly-dropped trailer gives us a good sampling of what to expect from the series without giving away too many plot details. Less is more when teasing a mystery!
Cast
In addition to Ortega, the members of the Addams family are rounded out with the classic family tree including parents Gomez and Morticia played by Luis Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Christina Ricci will also be featured in the series in some way, no doubt as a tribute to her flawless portrayal as Wednesday in the 1990s films.
Other actors' names attached to the series with undisclosed roles include Gwendoline Christie, Jamie McShane, Emma Myers, Percy Hynes White, Moosa Mostafa, Thora Birch, Hunter Doohan, Riki Lindhome, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, and Naomi Ogawa.
Main Cast Members
- Jenna Ortega - Wednesday Addams
- Catherine Zeta-Jones - Morticia Addams
- Luis Guzmán - Gomez Addams
- Victor Dorobantu - severed hand Thing
- George Burcea - Lurch
- Isaac Ordonez - Pugsley
- Gwendoline Christie - undisclosed
- Christina Ricci - undisclosed
Where to Watch
Wednesday will stream exclusively on Netflix.
Christina Ricci explains why she's returning to the Addams Family universe on Wednesday. The Addams Family was originally a cartoon series for The New Yorker created by Charles Addams in 1938 and has since gone on to spawn several movie and television adaptations. The newest iteration of The Addams Family is the upcoming Netflix series Wednesday, which follows a teenage Wednesday Addams as she transfers to a new, sinister high school. The show is directed by Tim Burton and stars scream queen Jenna Ortega in the titular role.
Though there have been several Addams Family adaptations, one of the most notable is the 1991 film The Addams Family, and its 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values. In the duology, Wednesday was played by Ricci in her breakout role. For many years, Ricci has remained the definitive live-action Wednesday, even though she hasn't appeared in an Addams Family project since 1993. There was much excitement when news broke announcing she would be back for Wednesday, though her character has yet to be revealed. Ricci has given her full support to Ortega as the Scream actress takes on the titular role.
In an interview with Collider, Ricci explains why she is returning to the Addams Family universe after nearly 30 years. She says that Wednesday Addams is "a huge part of [her] identity," and her personal history, which is why she could hardly pass up the opportunity to return. Read Ricci's full comment below:
“It's Tim Burton, I was so honored to be asked by him because he is just, you know, a genius. And then also to be a part to be asked to be a part of the new version of this thing that is a huge part of my identity and my history in my life. I mean, I know they didn't do it out of the goodness of their hearts, but I was really touched by it, and I felt like it was very nice. And it's such a fun world, and my character is outrageous and fun and different than anything I've done, and it was really great. And I just had a really lovely experience on that with Jenna, who is amazing, and I think now people have a taste of her Wednesday, and it's gonna be fantastic."
With a property as beloved as The Addams Family, it's inevitable that some fans might be wary of a new project such as Wednesday. However, Ricci's response to the series has gone a long way in encouraging excitement. Ricci has a deep, personal relationship to the character of Wednesday Addams, and that she has given the show her complete support bodes well for its reception. It sounds like Wednesday will be quite different from what's come before, but in the best way possible.
Furthermore, Wednesday's decision to include Ricci just shows how much respect Burton and the rest of the creative team have for the franchise's past. As Ricci puts it, Wednesday is a part of who she is, and Burton was careful to honor that even as he creates a new version of the character. It will be very interesting to see how Ricci is now able to put her spin on this new Addams Family adaptation. Wednesday will surely appeal to long-time Addams Family fans, while also bringing in new ones with the show's modern spin. With the first spooky Wednesday trailer having just been released, this show is shaping up to be a creepy, kooky addition to the Addams Family universe, and Ricci is just as excited as fans are to see the series hit Netflix.
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