Jenna Ortega explains why she initially rejected her role inWednesday. Ortega plays the eponymous Addams Family member in the popular Netflix series, which she will reprise inWednesdayseason 2. Wednesday Addams has become the most recognizable role of Ortega’s career, earning her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. In addition to Ortega,Wednesdayalso stars Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, Christina Ricci, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Fred Armisen, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Luis Guzman.
Speaking withVanity Fair, Ortega explains why she was initially hesitant to take on her role onWednesday. Responding to the previous understanding that she had turned down the role ofWednesday, Ortega clarifies that she “wasn’t married to the job” at first, asshe felt more excited about film work than TV work at the time. Later, however, her call with Burton “made [her] want it more,” as theWednesdayrole started to grow on her. Check out the full quote from Ortega below:
Initially, I wasn’t married to the job. The bluntness of the call [with Burton] made me want it more. [Burton] really got in my head.
Ortega’s Combined Film & TV Career Explained
Ortega Began Her Career In Television
Part of Ortega’s lack of interest inWednesdaymay have come from her history with TV extends longer than that of her experience with film.Ortega’s careerbegan as a child actor, contributing her talents to Disney Channel shows and other TV series such asJane the Virgin, wherein she played a younger version of the main character. It was not until relatively recently in her career that Ortega began transitioning to acting in far more film roles.
At the time that she appeared inWednesday, her film career was just starting to heat up. In 2021, Ortega delivered a stellar performance as a traumatized high school student inThe Fallout. The next year, she showcased her budding scream queen talent when playingTara Carpenter inScreamas well as Lorraine in Ti West’s franchise-staring slasher horror filmX. These projects showcased Ortega’s ability to act on the silver screen as well as the small screen.
Taking theWednesdayrole ended up being one of the wisest moves in Ortega’s career. Seemingly overnight, the Netflix show transformed Ortega from rising star to household name, as the series catapulted her into a new level of fame and popularity. Now, Ortega has gone on to collaborate with Burton again in the upcomingsequel filmBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. It is great Burton sold Ortega onWednesday, because the show has ended up being quintessential to both Ortega’s career and the success of the show.
Wednesday
Cast
Wednesday follows the journey of Wednesday Addams as she attends Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts. Tasked with mastering her psychic abilities, she confronts a series of town murders and a haunting family mystery from 25 years ago, all while managing new social dynamics.
