Wednesday season 2 gets an optimistic update from a Netflix executive. Although it was expected that an Addams Family saga with the involvement of Tim Burton would make a splash, Wednesday continues to reach milestones. The series stars Jenna Ortega in the lead role and marks the first time any English-language show has been viewed over 400 million hours in a single week. Those record-shattering numbers have continued since it was recently confirmed that the horror-infused teen drama surpassed Dahmer to become the second English show of all time on Netflix. It’s only bested by Stranger Things season 4.
Still, as of this writing, Wednesday season 2 has not been confirmed. In an interview with Variety, Peter Friedlander — Netflix’s head of U.S. and Canada scripted series — was asked about whether the hit show would be back and if there could be spinoffs centered around different Addams Family members. Friedlander did not offer a confirmation, though he does state that he’s optimistic about the future of Wednesday. In the quote below, the exec praises the supporting cast and says that the Netflix team wants to “study” how and why the teen drama resonated with audiences:
You may know what I’m going to say — but I have nothing to confirm at this time. I am optimistic about “Wednesday.” We’ll leave it at that.
Weirdly, because it feels different, but we’re just two weeks into the launch of “Wednesday.” So we’re still really at the beginning of this cultural phenomenon. And there’s a lot to absorb and learn about it. It’s striking how quick something like this can explode on Netflix, and there is a lot you want to hear back from fans and audiences. It’s not just the dance, it’s people dressing up and buying makeup and wanting to look like Wednesday Addams. The resurgence, for me, it’s something that’s been in the culture for a long time — but never this pronounced. It’s something that we want to study and understand why this is such a phenomenon. And I think so much of it is Jenna’s extraordinary performance at the center. But that supporting cast, across the board, are legends: Gwendoline Christie, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán and Christina Ricci!
The marketing approach to “Wednesday” was sizzling. Whether it was the billboards that say, “Honk if you’re dead inside,” or you’re at the airport and you saw those TSA messages inside the bucket, it was everywhere and they really contributed to making it such a hit.
What To Expect From Wednesday Season 2
By the end of Wednesday season 1, Ortega’s character returns home from summer break. She receives threatening texts from an unknown number, which amuses her. The texts show images of Wednesday talking to Tyler (Hunter Doohan) as well as getting a new phone from Xavier (Percy Hynes White). The series ends with the revelation that the titular protagonist has earned her very own stalker. In conversations about what they’re planning, showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar mention their eagerness to widen the story’s scope and highlight other actors.
The duo specifically mentions that, while the intention is for the focus to remain on Ortega, who has been praised for her performance and nominated for a Golden Globe, there is also the intention of unraveling more of the relationship with her mother Morticia (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones). And in terms of the teenager herself, it’s teased that Wednesday’s straightforward bleak worldview will be challenged due to her continued growth and evolution.
From both a viewership standpoint, not to mention plot potential, all the pieces are in place for Wednesday season 2. The delay in an official announcement could be because Netflix wants to shape how to roll out the news and get the maximum coverage. It could be, as Friedlander says because the streamer is looking at how to best capitalize on the popularity. Fans have plenty of reasons to feel hopeful, though.
