Review
The Addams Family has cemented its place in popular culture, enchanting audiences with its peculiar charm since the 1960s. Netflix’s Wednesday TV series, however, zooms in on the enigmatic daughter of the family, Wednesday Addams, with a fresh perspective that marries mystery with the supernatural, all while staying true to the character’s iconic roots.
Overview of Wednesday TV Series
Premiered on 23 November 2023, the Wednesday TV series is a popular American comedy crime fantasy. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the series is a spin-off of The Addams Family. It follows the life of Wednesday Addams, the iconic goth teenager, as she navigates her years as a student at Nevermore Academy.
The series garnered significant buzz even before its release, partly because of the involvement of the legendary Tim Burton. Directing several episodes, Burton extended his gothic storytelling prowess to the small screen, promising to paint each frame with his signature blend of eerie charm and visual poetry.
The show has also been noted for its dark humour and gothic aesthetic, which is a nod to the original Addams Family comics. With a second season already confirmed, fans of the series can look forward to more wickedly delightful adventures with Wednesday Addams and her classmates.
Wednesday TV Series Plot Summary
The first season of Wednesday consists of eight episodes, each with a runtime of around 45 minutes.
The series follows Wednesday Addams as she enrols in Nevermore Academy, a prestigious institution for the peculiar and extraordinary. Surrounded by a cast of eccentric characters, Wednesday embarks on a journey of self-discovery while navigating the challenges that come with adolescence.
As Wednesday settles into her new school, she discovers that she possesses a unique psychic ability. Determined to understand and control her powers, she seeks guidance from her uncle, Fester, and other mysterious individuals she encounters along the way.
Drawn to the allure of the strange and unusual, Wednesday finds herself entangled in a web of mysteries and dark secrets. With her sharp wit and relentless determination, she embarks on a series of thrilling investigations, unravelling the truth behind the eerie occurrences at Nevermore Academy.
Wednesday is much more than a mere puzzle to be solved. It’s a story about growing up different in a world that values conformity, about finding one’s place in a legacy while trying to carve out a new path. As the series progresses, viewers will find that every riddle has layers and that Nevermore Academy’s hallowed halls hold more secrets than they could have imagined.
The narrative is careful to let the suspense simmer, revealing just enough to beckon the audience deeper into its mystery without ever fully lifting the veil of the unknown. Such suspense makes Nevermore, and Wednesday herself, so irresistibly captivating.
Wednesday TV Series Cast and Characters
The cast of the Wednesday TV series features a talented group of actors and actresses who bring the iconic Addams Family to life. Here’s a list of Wednesday’s cast and characters.
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams
Jenna Ortega brilliantly portrays the enigmatic and macabre Wednesday Addams. With her signature braided pigtails and black attire, she effortlessly captures the essence of this iconic character. Ortega’s performance brings a new depth and charm to Wednesday, making her a character that fans cannot help but love.
Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams
Joining the series as Morticia Addams is the talented Catherine Zeta-Jones. Known for her captivating performances in films like Chicago and Entrapment, Zeta-Jones brings a touch of elegance and grace to the role of Morticia. Her on-screen chemistry with Jenna Ortega adds an extra layer of magic to the series.
Gwendoline Christie as Larissa Weems
Gwendoline Christie, best known for playing Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones, takes on the role of Larissa Weems, the principal of Nevermore Academy. Larissa Weems is a mysterious and formidable character who adds intrigue and suspense to the series. Christie plays her character in a way that makes you wonder if she’s good or bad.
Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams
Luis Guzmán plays Gomez Addams, Wednesday’s father. His portrayal captures Gomez’s warmth and unwavering devotion to his family, particularly his daughter, Wednesday. Guzmán’s performance adds a layer of heartfelt humour and spirited passion, reflecting the character’s zest for life and the macabre.
Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair
Emma Myers is Enid, Wednesday’s roommate, who is super cheerful and the complete opposite of Wednesday. Emma makes Enid someone who brings happiness into Wednesday’s dark world.
Jamie McShane as Sheriff Donovan Galpin
Jamie McShane plays Sheriff Galpin, the police officer in the town near Wednesday’s school, with a grudge against Nevermore Academy and its students. McShane’s performance lends a grounded human element to the series, representing the town’s suspicions and prejudices against the peculiar.
Hunter Doohan as Tyler Galpin
As Tyler Galpin, Hunter Doohan portrays a character with a foot in both worlds—the norm and the paranormal. He is the son of Sheriff Galpin and a Nevermore Academy outsider with his own mysteries, becoming a key figure in Wednesday’s journey of discovery.
Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe
Percy Hynes White plays Xavier, a guy at Wednesday’s school who is really into making art and has some special powers. He is a mysterious character, making viewers always curious about what he’s up to.
Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay
Joy Sunday plays Bianca, one of the popular girls at school who has some cool abilities. Bianca seems tough on the outside, but there’s more to her if you look closer.
Victor Dorobantu as Thing
Thing, the disembodied hand with a personality all its own, is portrayed by Victor Dorobantu. While no spoken words can be attributed to Thing, Dorobantu’s performance is key to bringing to life this silent yet expressive character through gestures and movements that convey a broad range of emotions and intentions.
Christina Ricci as Marilyn Thornhill
Christina Ricci plays Marilyn Thornhill, and if you know the old movies about the Addams Family, you’ll be excited to see her in this show. Marilyn Thornhill is a new normie teacher at Nevermore Academy. She is mysterious and charismatic, and she quickly becomes one of Wednesday’s favourite teachers. However, she may be hiding a dark secret.
Riki Lindhome as Dr. Valerie Kinbott
Riki Lindhome plays Dr. Kinbott, the resident psychologist at Nevermore Academy and Wednesday’s therapist. Through their sessions, Dr. Kinbott seeks to understand and help Wednesday, creating a dynamic that further explores the depth of Wednesday’s character.
Moosa Mostafa as Eugene Otinger
Moosa Mostafa plays the character of Eugene, one of Wednesday’s schoolmates, who is super smart and loves science. Eugene is the kind of friend who would do a lot to help you out, even if it’s a bit scary.
Georgie Farmer as Ajax Petropolus
Georgie Farmer plays Ajax, a friend of Wednesday’s who is good-natured and loyal with a strength that’s more than just physical. He is also Enid’s crush, which provides a subplot of teenage romance that contrasts with the darker overarching themes of the show.
Naomi J. Ogawa as Yoko Tanaka
Naomi J. Ogawa portrays Yoko Tanaka, another student who is quiet and has a cool style. She is a vampire who is known for her intelligence and her dry sense of humour. She is a close friend of Wednesday, and she is always there to offer her advice.
In addition to the main cast, there are also several supporting characters who add depth and complexity to the story. These include Lurch, the Addams Family’s loyal butler, played by Tommie Earl Jenkins, and Uncle Fester, the eccentric family member, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
Wednesday TV Series Review
While a review of the series would be based on subjective opinions, Wednesday undeniably brought something distinctive to the table. It made a mark through its darkly comic tone, its stylistic nods to the goth subculture, and its fresh take on a character who has fascinated audiences for decades.
Critics have applauded Wednesday for its clever writing, visual aesthetics, and Ortega’s standout portrayal of the titular character. The series managed to find a balance between honouring the legacy of the original Addams Family and providing a modern-day interpretation that resonates with today’s audiences.
Overall, the reception of the Wednesday TV series has been generally positive, both from critics and audiences alike. It has been a huge hit on Netflix, becoming the streaming service’s third most-watched show of all time, according to CNET. This success has led to the announcement of a second season, which is expected to premiere in 2024.
Wednesday’s Viral Dance Scene
A particular highlight of the show that captured the internet’s attention was the dance scene featuring Ortega’s Wednesday. Wednesday Addams has become a TikTok sensation with her expressionless yet full-of-life dance moves.
In episode 4, “Woe What a Night,” Wednesday’s dance scene has garnered over 14.6 billion views for #wednesday on TikTok. The dance scene is set to the song “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps, and it is a perfect example of Wednesday’s quirky and eccentric personality.
The dance scene has been praised by critics and fans alike, and it has gone viral on social media. It has become a popular trend that has inspired countless reactions across social media platforms. Many people have also created their own versions of the dance.
Wednesday TV Series Age Rating
Due to its dark and mysterious themes, Wednesday is recommended for mature audiences and sits with a TV-14 rating. The show explores complex issues and contains elements of violence that may not be suitable for younger viewers.
If you’re considering watching Wednesday with younger audiences, it’s important to exercise viewer discretion. Some scenes may be intense or unsettling for children, so parental guidance is recommended.
Overall, Wednesday is a must-watch for fans of the Addams Family franchise and anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a twist of dark humour.
Who plays Wednesday Addams in the series?
Jenna Ortega plays the role of Wednesday Addams.
Where can I watch Wednesday?
Wednesday is a Netflix original series and is available to stream on Netflix.
How many episodes are there in the Wednesday TV series?
The first season of Wednesday consists of eight episodes, each with a runtime of around 45 minutes.
Will there be a season 2 of Wednesday?
Following its huge success, a second season of Wednesday has been confirmed and is expected to come out in 2024 or 2025.
Is Wednesday suitable for children?
Wednesday carries a TV-14 rating, indicating that some material may not be suitable for children under 14.