Wednesday is an American coming-of-age supernatural comedy horror television series based on the character Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the series stars Jenna Ortega as the titular character. The cast also includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Fred Armisen, and Christina Ricci in supporting roles.

Four out of the eight episodes are directed by Tim Burton, who also serves as an executive producer. The series follows Wednesday Addams as she tries to solve a mysterious monster case at her school, blending elements of horror, comedy, and drama.

Background

Tim Burton, known for his dark and quirky style, had previously been associated with two Addams Family-related projects: the 1991 film, which he passed on, and a canceled stop-motion animated film. In October 2020, Burton was reported to be directing a television series, which was later ordered by Netflix.

Production

Filming for the series took place in Romania between September 2021 and March 2022, capturing a gothic and atmospheric setting fitting for the story.

Release and Reception

Wednesday premiered on November 16, 2022, and was made available on Netflix on November 23. The series received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Jenna Ortega’s captivating performance as Wednesday Addams. However, some noted similarities to CW-style dramas in its tone and pacing.

Within just two weeks of its release, Wednesday became the third-most-watched English-language series on Netflix, solidifying its place as a cultural and streaming sensation.