Major Changes to Wednesday Season 2’s Release Schedule Force Jenna Ortega to Adjust Her Entire Filming Schedule
The highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, the Addams Family spin-off that took the world by storm in 2022, has been a rollercoaster of excitement and uncertainty for fans and cast alike. At the heart of the series is Jenna Ortega, whose mesmerizing portrayal of the titular Wednesday Addams has cemented her as a rising star in Hollywood. However, recent shifts in the release schedule for Wednesday Season 2 have forced Ortega to overhaul her already packed filming commitments, creating a ripple effect across her burgeoning career. This article delves into the reasons behind these changes, their impact on Ortega’s schedule, and what fans can expect from the upcoming season.
A Phenomenon That Redefined Streaming Success
When Wednesday premiered in November 2022, it quickly became Netflix’s most-watched English-language series, amassing 252 million views and 1.7 billion hours viewed globally. Directed by Tim Burton and created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the show blended gothic horror, dark comedy, and teen drama, with Ortega’s deadpan delivery and iconic dance scene stealing the spotlight. The series’ success led to a swift renewal in January 2023, with fans eagerly awaiting Wednesday’s return to Nevermore Academy. Expectations were high for a 2024 release, but production delays and scheduling conflicts have pushed the premiere to 2025, sparking widespread speculation and frustration.
Why the Delay?
Several factors contributed to the altered release schedule for Wednesday Season 2. Initially, filming was slated to begin in April 2024 in Ireland, a shift from the first season’s Romania location due to logistical challenges. However, pre-production faced hurdles, including the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which halted many Hollywood projects. While the strike’s resolution allowed planning to resume, coordinating the availability of key cast members, particularly Ortega, proved challenging. Additionally, Netflix’s decision to prioritize post-production quality—given the show’s massive viewership—meant a longer timeline for editing, visual effects, and sound design.
Another significant factor was the expansion of the show’s scope. Showrunners Gough and Millar have teased a “darker and more complex” season, with bigger set pieces, more horror elements, and an episode inspired by slasher films. This ambition required extended filming periods and meticulous planning, further delaying the release. The addition of high-profile guest stars, such as Lady Gaga in a cameo role, also necessitated adjustments to accommodate their schedules, adding complexity to an already tight production window.
Jenna Ortega’s Packed Schedule
For Jenna Ortega, the delay in Wednesday Season 2’s production has meant navigating a labyrinth of professional commitments. At just 22, Ortega has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, with roles in major franchises and indie projects alike. In 2024, she starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, another Tim Burton collaboration, which required reshoots that overlapped with Wednesday’s pre-production phase. She also filmed Death of a Unicorn, an A24 horror-comedy, and was attached to the upcoming Scream VII, though her involvement remains uncertain due to scheduling conflicts.
Ortega’s role as an executive producer on Wednesday Season 2 added another layer of responsibility. She has been vocal about wanting to steer the show toward a horror-heavy narrative, ditching the love triangle from Season 1 to focus on Wednesday’s growth as a character. This creative input required her presence during script development and editing, further straining her availability. In a March 2025 interview with Collider, Ortega revealed she was still doing ADR (automated dialogue replacement) for Wednesday just weeks prior, underscoring the ongoing demands of post-production even after filming wrapped in November 2024.
The Domino Effect on Her Career
The reshuffling of Wednesday’s schedule forced Ortega to make tough choices. Reports suggest she declined smaller roles in other projects to prioritize Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, both of which are pivotal to her career trajectory. The delay also impacted her ability to take on new films during the summer of 2024, as she spent seven months in Ireland filming Wednesday. “It’s not always easy,” Ortega told E! News, describing the grueling process of embodying Wednesday for such an extended period. Yet, she credited Burton’s creative energy for keeping the set dynamic, which helped her push through the exhaustion.
Ortega’s commitment to Wednesday also meant turning down opportunities to promote other projects. For instance, her press tour for Death of a Unicorn was abbreviated to accommodate Wednesday’s post-production needs. This balancing act highlights the challenges faced by young actors juggling multiple high-profile roles while maintaining creative control. Ortega’s decision to prioritize Wednesday reflects her deep connection to the character, whom she has called “a legend” she doesn’t want to “get wrong.”
What Fans Can Expect from Season 2
Despite the scheduling chaos, the outlook for Wednesday Season 2 is promising. Filming wrapped on November 30, 2024, with Netflix releasing a first-look image of Ortega as Wednesday, standing confidently in a eerie graveyard setting. The season will feature eight episodes, with Burton directing four, alongside Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson. The returning cast includes Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair, Hunter Doohan as Tyler Galpin, and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán as Morticia and Gomez Addams, now series regulars. New additions like Steve Buscemi as Nevermore’s principal and Billie Piper as Capri promise fresh dynamics.
Story-wise, Season 2 will delve deeper into Wednesday’s psychic abilities and her tangled relationships at Nevermore. Ortega has teased “jump-scare” moments and horror references, including a visually striking scene involving Pugsley that echoes Full Metal Jacket. The absence of Percy Hynes White’s Xavier Thorpe, following allegations against the actor, will shift focus away from romance, aligning with Ortega’s vision for a darker narrative. Lady Gaga’s cameo, though brief, has generated buzz, with Ortega praising her as “one of the most talented individuals” she’s worked with.
The Bigger Picture
The delays in Wednesday Season 2 reflect broader trends in the streaming industry, where quality control and star availability often clash with fan expectations for quick turnarounds. For Ortega, the experience has been a masterclass in time management and creative leadership. Her ability to juggle producing, acting, and advocating for her character’s arc demonstrates a maturity beyond her years. As she told Vanity Fair, being “hands-on” with Wednesday was a “natural progression” that allowed her to shape the show’s direction while learning the ropes of production.
For fans, the wait may feel torturous—much like Wednesday’s own journey, as Gough and Millar describe it. Yet, the promise of a bolder, scarier season, coupled with Ortega’s unwavering dedication, suggests it will be worth it. If post-production follows a similar timeline to Season 1, which took eight months from wrap to release, Wednesday Season 2 could hit Netflix by summer 2025, possibly aligning with Halloween for maximum spooky impact.
Conclusion
The major changes to Wednesday Season 2’s release schedule have tested Jenna Ortega’s resilience and adaptability, forcing her to recalibrate her entire filming slate. From navigating strike-related delays to balancing blockbuster roles and producer duties, Ortega has proven she’s more than capable of rising to the challenge. As Wednesday prepares to return with a vengeance, fans can take solace in knowing that Ortega’s passion for the project ensures it will deliver the chills and thrills they’ve been craving. In the meantime, her journey serves as a reminder that even the darkest paths—like Wednesday’s own—can lead to something extraordinary.