Netflix casts Jenna Ortega as lead for ‘Wednesday’ live-action series

Jenna Ortega is set to play Wednesday Addams in the upcoming Netflix live-action series Wednesday. 

The 18-year-old actress announced the news on her Instagram account on Thursday, May 20. “New chapter. Hope I can do Wednesday Addams justice,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself holding the script for the show. 

The role of Wednesday Addams has been played by Lisa Loring, Christina Ricci and Chloe Grace Moretz in the different Addams Family adaptations through the years. 

The Addams Family spin-off series was first announced in February 2021. Tim Burton, known for his gothic fantasy films like Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and Edward Scisscorhands, will be directing the eight-episode series, making it his first TV series stint. 

Tim Burton is bringing Wednesday Addams to Netflix in a live-action coming-of-age series!

Burton will also make his TV directorial debut on the sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery that follows Wednesday as a student at Nevermore Academy pic.twitter.com/8ei3wIUrxq

— Netflix (@netflix) February 17, 2021

Netflix described the series as a “sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery” where Wednesday, who possesses psychic abilities, tries to stop a villainous killing spree and solve a mystery involving her parents 25 years ago.

Other cast members for the spin-off series and the starting date for the production have yet to be announced. 

Jenna is also known for her roles as Ellie in the second season of You and Katie Torres in Yes Day.  – Rappler.com