Jenna Ortega didn't just play a role; she basically reset the entire cultural barometer for what a "Goth" icon looks like in the 2020s. When Netflix first announced the Addams Family Wednesday cast, people were skeptical. Understandably so. How do you follow up on Christina Ricci’s pitch-perfect 90s performance? You don’t try to copy it. You pivot. Tim Burton and showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar realized that to make Wednesday work, they needed a cast that felt grounded in a weird, heightened reality rather than a Saturday Night Live sketch.
It worked.
The show became a juggernaut because of the chemistry between the outcasts at Nevermore Academy and the friction within the Addams family unit itself. It’s a strange mix of Gen Z angst and classic macabre humor.
The Jenna Ortega Factor and the New Wednesday
Jenna Ortega is the engine. Period. Without her specific brand of deadpan delivery and that viral, self-choreographed dance at the Rave'N dance, the show might have just been another teen mystery. Ortega famously refused to blink while filming to maintain Wednesday’s unsettling aura. That’s a level of commitment that separates a "TV actor" from a "character actor." She studied cello and fencing, ensuring that when Wednesday stands up to a bully or plays Paint It Black on a balcony, it looks authentic. It’s not just about the braids. It's about the stillness.
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Ortega's Wednesday is older than previous iterations. She's a teenager now. That means she has a prickly relationship with her mother, Morticia, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. The casting of Zeta-Jones was a stroke of genius because she carries that Old Hollywood glamour that the character demands. She isn't trying to be Carolyn Jones or Anjelica Huston. She's playing a woman who is deeply in love with her husband but deeply confused by her daughter’s rejection of the family aesthetic.
Luis Guzmán and the Comic Accuracy Debate
When the Addams Family Wednesday cast was first revealed, the internet had a minor meltdown over Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams. People were used to the suave, thin Raul Julia. But here’s the thing: Guzmán is actually more "accurate" to the original Charles Addams cartoons from The New Yorker.
Gomez was always meant to be a shorter, somewhat stout man who was punching way above his weight class with Morticia. Guzmán brings a warmth and a goofy, obsessive devotion to the role that feels incredibly sweet. His chemistry with Zeta-Jones is palpable. They look like a couple that has been together for twenty years and still can't keep their hands off each other, which is the entire point of the Addams' marriage. It’s a healthy, albeit creepy, relationship.
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The Nevermore Academy Circle
The show expands the world beyond the 0001 Cemetery Lane gates. At Nevermore Academy, we get a whole new roster of characters that challenge Wednesday’s "I work alone" mantra.
- Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair: The absolute antithesis of Wednesday. Enid is a werewolf who can't fully "wolf out," she loves K-pop, and her room looks like a Lisa Frank fever dream. Myers is the secret weapon of the series. Her relentless optimism provides the perfect foil for Wednesday’s gloom.
- Gwendoline Christie as Principal Larissa Weems: Standing at 6'3", Christie brings an imposing, statuesque elegance to the role of the school principal. Her history with Morticia adds a layer of "Mean Girls" energy to the adult storyline.
- Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe: The tortured artist archetype. Xavier’s ability to bring his drawings to life is visually stunning, though his character often serves as the "is he or isn't he the monster" red herring.
- Hunter Doohan as Tyler Galpin: The "normie" barista with a dark secret. Tyler represents the bridge between the town of Jericho and the outcasts at Nevermore.
Christina Ricci’s Surprising Return
You can’t talk about the Addams Family Wednesday cast without mentioning the meta-casting of Christina Ricci. Having the 90s Wednesday return as Marilyn Thornhill, the only "normie" teacher at Nevermore, was a brilliant nod to the fans. It wasn't just a cameo; she was integral to the plot. Seeing the two Wednesdays share the screen felt like a passing of the torch. Ricci’s Thornhill is bubbly and kind on the surface, which is the exact opposite of the character she played as a child. The irony isn't lost on anyone.
Victor Dorobantu as Thing
Yes, the hand counts as cast. Victor Dorobantu is a magician who spent hours under floors and behind walls to give Thing a personality. It’s easy to forget that Thing isn't CGI. Every tap of the fingers and every "shrug" of the wrist was performed by a real human being. This tactile approach makes the relationship between Wednesday and Thing feel genuine. He’s her confidant, her spy, and occasionally her conscience.
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Why the Casting Matters for Season 2
As we look toward the future of the series, the ensemble is shifting. We know that Steve Buscemi is joining the cast for Season 2, which is perhaps the most "Tim Burton" casting choice imaginable. There are also rumors of more Addams family members showing up—Grandmama and Cousin Itt are prime candidates for a larger spotlight.
The strength of this cast lies in its diversity of talent. You have legends like Zeta-Jones and Guzmán anchoring the adult world, while a group of relatively new faces like Emma Myers and Joy Sunday (who plays the siren Bianca Barclay) carry the school drama. Bianca is particularly interesting because she isn't a one-dimensional villain. She's a queen bee with her own tragic family backstory, making her a formidable rival for Wednesday.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
Understanding why this specific cast worked helps us understand modern television success. If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the Addams Family or perhaps looking for how to analyze character dynamics, keep these points in mind:
- Study the Source Material: If you think Luis Guzmán was a "weird" choice, go back to the original 1930s cartoons. You'll see exactly what the creators were aiming for.
- Watch the Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to Jenna Ortega’s eyes and hands. She conveys more through a slight tilt of the head than most actors do through a page of dialogue.
- Follow the New Additions: With Season 2 on the horizon, watch for how the new cast members like Steve Buscemi disrupt the established hierarchy at Nevermore.
- Contrast is Key: The show thrives on opposites. Dark vs. Light (Wednesday vs. Enid), Outcast vs. Normie (Nevermore vs. Jericho), and Tradition vs. Rebellion (Morticia vs. Wednesday).
The Addams Family Wednesday cast succeeded because it respected the history of the franchise while being brave enough to update it for a new generation. It’s a masterclass in how to handle a legacy IP without letting it become a museum piece.
To get the most out of your next rewatch, pay close attention to the background characters at Nevermore Academy. Many of them are played by circus performers and contortionists to give the "outcast" world a truly supernatural feel that goes beyond simple makeup and prosthetics. This attention to detail is why the show feels so immersive.