‘Wednesday’ returns with family and female-focused season 2

After a nearly three-year hiatus, fans of the macabre and mysterious are gearing up for the highly anticipated return of Netflix's hit series, *Wednesday*. With its first season breaking streaming records, the pressure is on for Jenna Ortega and the creative team to deliver another captivating installment.

The original run, which premiered in November 2022, quickly became Netflix's most-watched English-language series, boasting over 252 million views within its initial 91 days. For Season 2, lead star Jenna Ortega, now 22, steps into a dual role, adding executive producer to her responsibilities alongside her portrayal of the titular character. Filmmaker Tim Burton also returns to the helm as a director and executive producer, promising to maintain the show's signature gothic flair.

This new chapter sees Wednesday Addams reluctantly embracing her status as a celebrated hero upon her return to Nevermore Academy. However, her focus quickly shifts to unraveling fresh supernatural mysteries, all while navigating unexpected "glitches" in her unique psychic abilities.

A particularly intriguing development for the fiercely independent Wednesday is the increased presence of her family at Nevermore. Her younger brother, Pugsley, enrolls as a student, and her parents become frequent campus visitors. This deliberate choice by co-creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar aims to deepen existing character arcs, particularly the complex mother-daughter dynamic between Wednesday and Morticia, portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Zeta-Jones herself teases "a dance and a play of emotions" between the two.

Jenna Ortega highlighted the season's strong emphasis on female relationships as a key strength. In an industry and world that often promotes competition, she expressed admiration for how "every woman in this show wants to see the other succeed," a message she believes is crucial for today's young audiences.

Viewers can also look forward to new faces joining the Nevermore ensemble, including Steve Buscemi as Principal Barry Dort and the iconic Joanna Lumley as Grandmama Hester Frump. Even pop sensation Lady Gaga is set for a special guest appearance as a teacher in Part 2.

The good news doesn't stop there: *Wednesday* has already secured a third season, with Gough and Millar actively developing new storylines. They've also hinted at the vast potential for the Addams Family universe, suggesting possible spinoffs and other iterations, eager to "explore it as much as we can."

For those eager to dive in, *Wednesday* Season 2 will be released in two segments, each comprising four episodes. Part One is scheduled to drop on August 6, followed by Part Two on September 3.