Netflix’s hit series “Wednesday” faced a significant setback when it lost one of its key cast members. The show, a spin-off from the iconic Addams Family franchise, centered on the character originally brought to life by Lisa Loring and Christina Ricci. It quickly became one of the streaming service’s most successful titles following its release in November 2021, leading to the swift commissioning of a second season. Jenna Ortega was set to reprise her role as the psychic teenager navigating her way through Nevermore Academy.
However, during the production of the first season in Romania, an unexpected obstacle arose when Thora Birch, who had joined the series in a regular role, had to depart before completing her scenes. MGM, the production company behind the show, revealed that Thora had returned to the United States to attend to a personal matter and would not be rejoining the production. Sources close to the situation cited an illness in Birch’s family as the reason for her departure, although it was noted that she had already filmed the majority of her role.
Thora Birch later revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in October 2022 that her decision to leave the show was also influenced by creative considerations. She explained, “The creative direction for the character became quite fluid and ever-changing from episode to episode. I had filmed a certain amount, but there were questions about the character’s future, and some changes and adjustments were made. It ultimately didn’t work out for me to return, so they are exploring alternative solutions.”
Birch had been cast as Wednesday’s dorm mother, Tamara Novak, a role that was subsequently assumed by the former Wednesday Addams actress, Christina Ricci.
Returning for the second season alongside Jenna Ortega are Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán, who portray Morticia and Gomez Addams, respectively. After just one week of its release, “Wednesday,” developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, garnered an impressive 341.2 million hours of streaming, surpassing records previously held by “Stranger Things.”
While “Wednesday” received praise for Ortega’s strong lead performance, some critics noted that it bore similarities to “Gen-Z Addams Family by way of Riverdale.” Jenna Ortega’s previous credits include the horror film “X” by Ti West, the fifth and sixth installments of the “Scream” franchise, and the upcoming “Beetlejuice 2,” which reunited her with “Wednesday” producer Tim Burton.
“Beetlejuice 2,” a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy, also features original stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara. The film is slated for release on September 6, 2024.
Fans of “Wednesday” can anticipate the release of the second season in late 2024.
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