Netflix’s hit TV show, Wednesday, may be a spinoff of the Addams Family franchise, but the actual family only makes minor appearances, leaving many to wonder what makes this series so different. Released in 2022, Wednesday is a notably star-studded affair, directed by Tim Burton and featuring beloved actors like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christina Ricci, Gwendoline Christie, and Jenna Ortega. While this cast and crew almost certainly piqued the interest of viewers, the show also lured in audiences with its premise: a teenage Wednesday Addams is forced to attend a boarding school for outcasts where a deadly mystery is afoot.
It is immediately clear that Wednesday is quite different from past Addams Family projects. For the first time ever, Wednesday focuses solely on the Addams’ teenage daughter. More than that, the show introduces a whole new world of kookiness via the town of Jericho and Nevermore Academy. Yet, regardless of all this, audiences may have been surprised when they realized how little the Addams actually feature in Wednesday. Apart from Wednesday herself, the other Addams are minor characters in a more school-centric plot. Of course, this isn’t meant to disappoint fans, but instead, has a more purposeful design.
Wednesday Is About The Titular Character, Not The Addams Family
Wednesday Uses The Other Addams Perfectly
The most obvious explanation for the Addams’ decreased roles is that Wednesday is truly about Wednesday – not the Addams. As the title implies, the series is centered on Wednesday as she attends Nevermore and attempts to solve the mystery of the Hyde. Since Wednesday now lives at Nevermore, it doesn’t really make sense for her family to appear often, and in fact, this is the point. Wednesday gives viewers a chance to see Wednesday as an independent character who has agency, desires, and development apart from her family. As a result, Wednesday becomes a much stronger and more interesting character.
Furthermore, it is not as though Wednesday completely overlooks the other Addams. Arguably, the show uses them in a very smart and meaningful way. For example, Wednesday’s burgeoning psychic abilities are inherited from Morticia, with whom she has a somewhat difficult relationship, like any teenager and mother. Similarly, Wednesday only attends Nevermore after being expelled from her old school for retaliating against Pugsley’s bullies. In this way, Wednesday builds up Wednesday’s relationships with her family in a brief yet purposeful way so that audiences can understand why she feels certain things and why she acts in the way she does.
Wednesday Feels Different From Other Addams Family Movies & Shows On Purpose
Wednesday Caters To A New Kind Of Audience
Beyond just centering on Wednesday herself, Wednesday also sets itself apart in terms of tone and genre. In the past, movies like 1991’s The Addams Family were geared towards comedy and silliness. On top of that, the main plot had more to do with the adults as opposed to the children. Wednesday completely flips this trend on its head by closing in on Wednesday and having a much darker horror tone. Of course, Wednesday definitely has moments of humor that hark back to the original franchise, but for the most part, the show is a mystery thriller.
Because of Wednesday’s change in genre, the show caters to a slightly different audience. While the show’s main audience is likely still Addams Family lovers, and it is definitely suitable for families, Wednesday will be best received by young adults and those who love mysteries. More specifically, Wednesday is not looking to provide a family-friendly adventure of comical errors, but instead, intends to portray deadly history, prejudice, and teenage character development. Wednesday is a unique character, but at the end of the day, she is still just a teen who has her own ambitions and beliefs.
Why Wednesday Addams Was The Right Character For An Addams Family Spinoff
What Wednesday Has Set Up For Its Protagonist
Since Wednesday focuses on just one member of the Addams Family, some may be wondering why Wednesday was the best pick. The easy answer is that she has always been a compelling character. Morticia and Gomez are undoubtedly intriguing due to their intense love for each other, and Uncle Fester brings a whole new dimension of strangeness, but Wednesday is one Addams Family character who has always had the potential for expansion but has rarely gotten it. Always portrayed as a child, Wednesday has been presented as strange, but never really got a meaningful, adult storyline – until now.
Still in those pivotal years of adolescence, Wednesday’s time at Nevermore may see her become a fully formed person, which has never really happened throughout the franchise.
Even after one season, Wednesday has already set up a captivating storyline for its protagonist. At the start of the series, audiences see how unique Wednesday is, but also how her personality can be a detriment. Her determination and her pessimistic outlook on life prevents her from forming positive connections with people. However, after Wednesday season 1’s ending, it is easy to see how Wednesday may change for the better. Still in those pivotal years of adolescence, Wednesday’s time at Nevermore may see her become a fully formed person, which has never really happened throughout the franchise.
Will The Addams Family Return In Wednesday Season 2?
What We Know About Wednesday Season 2
The rest of the Addams Family are sure to return in Wednesday season 2. At this point, it has been confirmed that Zeta-Jones will reprise her role as Morticia, alongside Luis Guzmán as Gomez and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley. Furthermore, Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester is set to make yet another guest-star appearance. Aside from the main family, it is unclear whether more members of the Addams will come out of the woodwork, though a number of new actors are joining the cast in undisclosed roles, such as Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Christopher Lloyd, Thandiwe Newton, and more.
Cast aside, Netflix has revealed that Wednesday season 2 will be released some time in 2025. The first season premiered in November, so it may repeat this pattern once again. Equally vague is the premise of Wednesday season 2. Thus far, audiences know very little about the plot of the new installment, besides the fact that Wednesday’s adventures are Nevermore will continue, perhaps in an even darker and scarier way. Regardless, if Wednesday continues on the same track as its first season, it is sure to be a hit.
