The Netflix series "Wednesday" encountered a setback as one of its key cast members had to exit the production before completing her scenes. A spin-off of the Addams Family, the show centers around the character popularised by Christina Ricci and gained immense popularity after its November 2021 release, quickly becoming one of Netflix's most successful titles. The subsequent commissioning of a second season with Jenna Ortega reprising her role as the psychic teenager at Nevermore Academy faced challenges during production in Romania due to the Hollywood strikes, leading to a temporary halt in filming.
Now, five months later, the show faces another blow with the departure of Thora Birch, a regular addition to the cast, citing personal reasons. MGM, the production company, officially confirmed Birch's exit, revealing she won't be returning to the show.
Thora Birch, renowned for her role in Ghost World, left the series due to a family illness. While she managed to complete most of her scenes, the remaining portions of her role remained unfinished.
In the upcoming season, Birch was set to portray Tamara Novak, Wednesday's dorm mother. The inclusion of Birch's work in the show's final cut remains uncertain, raising the possibility of producers introducing a new character to wrap up the storyline.
Season two of Wednesday will witness the return of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán, reprising their roles as Morticia and Gomez Addams. Despite the Hollywood strikes affecting production, the show, developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, achieved a remarkable milestone by streaming for a total of 341.2 million hours in just one week, surpassing a record held by Stranger Things.
Jenna Ortega, acclaimed for her compelling performance as Wednesday, has an impressive filmography, including Ti West Horror X, the fifth and sixth Scream films, and the upcoming Beetlejuice 2. Unfortunately, the strikes disrupted her reunion with Wednesday producer Tim Burton on Beetlejuice 2, a sequel to Burton's 1988 horror comedy, set to release on September 6, 2024, featuring original stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara.
While the release date for Wednesday Season 2 is yet to be announced, it is anticipated to hit screens late in 2024. The show faces challenges but continues to captivate audiences with its unique take on the Gen-Z Addams family, even amid the hurdles posed by the Hollywood strikes.
How much of an impact did Wednesday Season 1 have on the World?
Wednesday Season 1 made an enormous impact, earning notable recognition from the Television Academy and breaking significant records on Netflix.
The goth mystery series achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new Netflix record for the most hours viewed in a single week, not once, but twice. In its debut week, Wednesday garnered an impressive 341.23 million hours viewed, followed by an even more substantial 411.29 million hours viewed in its second week.
Despite Wednesday's fictional aversion to social interactions, particularly on social media, the hashtag #WednesdayAddams became a sensation on TikTok. Accumulating over 22 billion views, the character's popularity soared, inspiring millions of TikTok users to recreate her iconic "just-bitten" makeup look. Even Lady Gaga couldn't resist the allure of Wednesday, joining in with her own rendition of the trendy "Blood Mary" dance.
The musical influence of the show extended to the Wednesday soundtrack, which quickly climbed to the top, securing the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Soundtrack chart shortly after its release. Wednesday's success, both on and off-screen, showcases its undeniable appeal, making it a true overachiever in the world of entertainment.
A Quick Recap on Wednesday Season One Ending?
The Season 1 finale of Wednesday leaves viewers with a tantalizing cliffhanger, setting the stage for a riveting Season 2.
Caution: Spoiler Alert
As Season 1 concludes, Wednesday finds herself facing potential adversaries in the upcoming season. The enigmatic Hyde remains at large, leaving unanswered questions about their fate, whether in police custody or still roaming free.
Adding to the suspense, the finale introduces a mysterious stalker within the confines of Nevermore Academy. Wednesday receives ominous texts and unsettling photos from an unidentified source, highlighting the looming threat to both her and the school.
Miles Millar, one of the creators, suggests that the presence of the stalker reveals that threats persist, challenging the notion that all loose ends have been neatly tied up. The unresolved mysteries hint at a complex web of danger that Wednesday will need to navigate in Season 2.
While Wednesday herself may not be one to easily crack a smile, the prospect of a new and eerie case to unravel promises an intriguing continuation of her story.
For more insights into Wednesday Season 2, including casting details and plot secrets, stay tuned to World Of Kidz for the latest and snappiest news. The anticipation for the next chapter is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.