Playing a character that is familiar to the audience is difficult, trying not to stray too far from the source material or stay too close to someone else’s interpretation. That’s why Wednesday star Jenna Ortega refrained from seeking advice from her fellow cast member and predecessor Christina Ricci regarding the role of the eldest daughter of the Addams family.
As the first member of a strange and quirky family to star in their own solo project, Wednesday Addams is a fan-favorite character who has been dressed up like Halloween by many over the years, adorning her with signature black braids and a serious expression. Taking on such an iconic role, Ortega shared that she felt “tremendous pressure” to play such a “favorite character” in an MTV News interview with her co-star. Emma Meyers. The actress who became the reigning scream queen thanks to her acclaimed performances on the A24 series. X as well as recent scream film, explained that it was difficult to balance her own version of Wednesday with references to previous versions of the character without completely copying someone else’s work. Ortega also revealed that she never spoke to Ricci, who is known for playing Wednesday in the 1991 film as a child. The Addams Family and its 1993 sequel Addams Family Valuesabout their bond while filming a new Netflix series together.
According to Ortega:
“I think when [Ricci] was on set, neither of us ever said Wednesday to each other. I don’t think she wanted to interfere with my performance and feel bossy… I felt like I didn’t want to repeat what she did 30 years ago. For my own benefit, but secondly, I didn’t want to rip her off and didn’t want to be too much like her.”
Although new Wednesday series and popular films of the 90s are based on characters from Charles Addams“Original cartoons,” Ortega explained, “that’s where the similarities end. “Our show has superpowers, outcasts, and evil ghost pilgrims,” Ortega said, comparing her version of the character to Ricci’s iconic role. “These are two very different people, our environments.”
director director Tim Burton, Wednesday centers around a teenage version of a character known for using a guillotine to decapitate her dolls as she investigates a series of murders at Nevermore Academy. Set in the rogue boarding school where Wednesday’s parents first met, the new series stars Ricci as Marilyn Thornhill, Nevermore Academy’s dorm mother. In addition to Ricci, Meyers joins the creepy, eccentric and overall creepy cast as colorful werewolf roommate Enid Sinclair. The new series also features performances Gwendolyn Christie, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes Whiteas well as Ricky Lindhome. Among the guest stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as well as Luis Guzman as equally iconic parents Wednesday Morticia and Gomez Addams respectively.
Wednesday currently streaming on Netflix. Check out the spoiler-filled conversation between Ortega and Myers about the show below.
Source: Collider
