Netflix’s Wednesday (based on the iconic gothic Addams Family character) has released its cast, with filming now underway. The much-anticipated dark comedy spin-off series will run for a total of 8 episodes, marking Tim Burton’s TV directing debut. Although Burton is well known for his production of ‘quirky’ and unique films, his mastery of stop-motion, Corpse Bride, is to be set to the side-lines for his first live-action television production. Each episode has an expected run time of approximately 60 minutes.
Love Tim Burton? Read Elisabetta Pulcini’s Blue Filter article on his “strange and unusual world” here.
In a recent announcement, Netflix described the series as a “sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at nevermore academy.” Over time, Wednesday’s character has been shown in multiple adaptations and formats, both onscreen and on stage. We can only hope to see more of Burton’s signature ‘Burtonesque’ style incorporated into the series to bring the characters to life, as seen in other notable productions, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Titular character Wednesday, a morbid and mysterious young girl, is to be played by Jenny Ortega, as announced by Netflix. Ortega has previously starred in several roles for Netflix, becoming a familiar face to viewers, mainly through her role as Ellie in the original series You.
The proposed cast includes many already respectable faces, with the most anticipated being Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman, who are set to play the parents of Wednesday, Morticia and Gomez Addams.
Other cast members that we will be sure to see include Jamie McShane, Thora Birch, Gwendoline Christie, and Riki Lindhome. Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes White, and Joy Sunday, have also been cast as fellow students to Wednesday, playing never-seen-before characters.
As of current, the prospect of a second season is unknown, as it remains unclear whether Wednesday will be a limited series.
The series is rumoured to be expected to arrive onscreen in late 2022.
Words by Mia Stapleton
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Great piece, very well written. Factual, informative & a good read.
Really well written piece, informative and precise,well done Mia!