Jenna Ortega: What’s Next for Wednesday?
Updated: August 12, 2026
Jenna Ortega has become one of the most recognizable young stars in Hollywood, but her transformation into Wednesday Addams has taken her career to an entirely new level. After the global success of Netflix's Wednesday, Ortega is now preparing to return as the iconic character for Season 3.
As of August 2026, production on the third season is underway, new cast members have joined the series, and Netflix has already offered fans an early glimpse of Wednesday in Paris. The next chapter is expected to expand the world of Nevermore Academy while exploring new mysteries and deeper family secrets. Netflix Tudum
But Wednesday is only one part of Ortega's rapidly expanding career. Her recent interviews, film projects and growing relationship with major filmmakers suggest that she is increasingly moving beyond the image of the teenage gothic heroine that made her famous.
Who Is Jenna Ortega?
Jenna Ortega is an American actress who began working professionally at a young age. Before becoming a global star, she appeared in television productions including Jane the Virgin, Stuck in the Middle and You.
Her early career gave her experience across comedy, family television and darker drama. Those different roles eventually prepared her for the performance that would define the first major stage of her career.
In 2022, Ortega became Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday, directed and executive produced in part by Tim Burton. Her deadpan delivery, physical performance and distinctive interpretation of the character quickly became one of the defining elements of the series.
Why Wednesday Changed Her Career
Wednesday transformed Ortega from a promising young actress into a global entertainment figure.
The series became a major Netflix phenomenon, introducing the Addams family's strange and gothic world to a new generation. Ortega's performance was particularly influential because she did not simply reproduce previous versions of Wednesday Addams. She developed a version that felt contemporary while maintaining the character's dark humor and emotional distance.
The character's popularity also created an unusual situation for Ortega. She became closely associated with Wednesday at a relatively young age, meaning future projects would inevitably be compared with the role that made her famous.
Instead of avoiding that association, Ortega has continued to use the platform created by the series while gradually expanding her range.
Wednesday Season 3 Is Officially Happening
Netflix has officially renewed Wednesday for a third season, with Jenna Ortega returning as the title character. Production began in 2026, with filming taking place around Dublin and other locations. Netflix has also confirmed several new additions to the cast.
Among the newly announced actors are Winona Ryder, Eva Green, Chris Sarandon, Noah Taylor, Oscar Morgan and Kennedy Moyer.
The addition of Ryder is particularly interesting because Ortega and Ryder previously appeared together in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, another project connected to director Tim Burton.
Returning members of the Addams family include Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams.
Wednesday Is Heading to Paris
One of the biggest visual surprises surrounding Season 3 is its Paris setting.
Netflix released an early image showing Wednesday standing near the Eiffel Tower with Thing beside her. The image immediately suggested that the upcoming season will take the character outside the familiar surroundings of Nevermore Academy.
The Paris setting does not necessarily mean that the entire season will take place in France. Instead, it appears to be part of a broader storyline that expands Wednesday's world beyond the academy.
The change in setting could also allow the series to experiment with a different visual identity while retaining the gothic atmosphere that has become central to the show.
What Could Season 3 Be About?
Netflix has not revealed the complete storyline for Season 3, which means many details remain intentionally secret.
However, the official information already points toward several major themes. Wednesday is expected to continue investigating strange mysteries while dealing with new threats, new characters and unresolved family secrets.
The introduction of Eva Green as Aunt Ophelia is particularly significant. Ophelia is Morticia Addams's long-lost sister, creating the possibility of a much deeper exploration of the Addams family history.
The show's creators have also teased new students, new teachers and previously hidden Addams family secrets. That suggests Season 3 could expand the mythology of the series rather than simply repeating the formula of the first two seasons.
Jenna Ortega Says Wednesday Has Influenced Her
Ortega recently reflected on how deeply the character has affected her own professional and personal development.
In a recent interview, she explained that there are moments when she finds herself thinking like Wednesday. The comment illustrates how significant the role has become after several years of playing the character.
At the same time, Ortega has demonstrated that her real personality is considerably different from Wednesday's deliberately cold and sarcastic personality. That contrast is part of what makes her performance particularly effective.
A successful actor does not necessarily need to resemble a character personally. Instead, the challenge is to understand the character deeply enough to make the performance convincing.
Her Early Experience With Fame
Ortega has also spoken candidly about the pressures she experienced as a child actor.
In a recent interview, she recalled working so hard that she would sometimes go through long periods without eating or drinking because she was afraid of being in somebody else's way. Her comments highlight the intense pressure that young performers can experience when they begin working in the entertainment industry.
That experience provides important context for understanding Ortega's development. Her success did not happen overnight. She spent years working in television before becoming a household name.
Her later career choices also suggest that she has become increasingly deliberate about the kinds of projects she wants to pursue.
Beyond Wednesday
Ortega's career has increasingly expanded into film. Her collaboration with Tim Burton continued through Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, while she has also taken roles in projects outside the traditional teenage horror genre.
One of her upcoming films is The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan and featuring Natalie Portman and Charli XCX alongside Ortega. The film was selected for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and later acquired for U.S. distribution.
The project is another indication that Ortega is interested in building a film career alongside her work in television.
The Growing Jenna Ortega Brand
Ortega's influence now extends beyond acting. Her fashion choices, interviews and public appearances regularly generate significant online attention.
Her visual identity has also become strongly associated with gothic fashion, dark color palettes and unconventional styling. This connection works naturally with her most famous character while still allowing Ortega to establish her own public image.
Her recent appearance for an Esquire special issue further demonstrated how strongly the entertainment and fashion industries have embraced her.
Why Fans Are Watching Season 3 Closely
Expectations for Season 3 are unusually high because the first season established such a strong cultural footprint and the second season further expanded the show's audience.
Fans are particularly interested in several questions. What will happen to Wednesday and Enid? How important will Aunt Ophelia become? What secrets will be revealed about the Addams family? And how will Wednesday's relationships evolve as she becomes more emotionally aware?
The series also has to solve a difficult creative problem: how to keep Wednesday mysterious and emotionally restrained while still allowing her character to develop.
If the character remains exactly the same, the story could become repetitive. If she changes too dramatically, the qualities that made her popular could disappear. Finding that balance will be one of Season 3's biggest challenges.
When Will Wednesday Season 3 Be Released?
Production is currently underway, but Netflix has not announced a specific premiere date for Season 3.
Current reporting indicates that fans should not expect the new season during 2026. A 2027 release is the expected timeframe as production continues.
This longer production schedule is understandable given the scale of the series. The show combines elaborate sets, visual effects, action sequences, extensive makeup and large ensemble casts.
Netflix is therefore likely to prioritize completing production and post-production rather than rushing the series back to audiences.
What Comes Next for Jenna Ortega?
The most interesting question may not be what happens to Wednesday, but what happens to Jenna Ortega after Wednesday.
She has already demonstrated that she can carry a major streaming series. The next challenge is establishing herself as an actor who can move comfortably between blockbuster entertainment, independent cinema, comedy, drama and darker genre projects.
Her growing filmography suggests that she is moving in that direction.
At only 23 years old in 2026, Ortega already has experience across television, film and major streaming productions that many performers take decades to accumulate.
Her next phase will therefore be less about proving that she can become famous and more about demonstrating how much range she possesses beyond the character who made her famous.
Final Thoughts
Jenna Ortega is entering an important stage of her career. Her performance as Wednesday Addams has made her a global star, but her recent projects and interviews suggest that she does not want her career to stop there.
With Wednesday Season 3 now in production, a new group of cast members, a Paris storyline and deeper Addams family mysteries, the next chapter of the Netflix phenomenon is already generating major interest.
At the same time, Ortega continues to explore opportunities beyond Nevermore Academy. Her work in film, fashion and other creative projects could determine whether she ultimately becomes known primarily as Wednesday Addams or as a much broader Hollywood performer.
For now, one thing is certain: Jenna Ortega's Wednesday era is not over yet. But the actress behind the character appears increasingly ready for whatever comes after it.
Sources and Further Reading
- Netflix Tudum: Official updates on Wednesday Season 3 and its cast.
- Variety: Recent reporting and interviews concerning Jenna Ortega and Wednesday.
- Rolling Stone: Jenna Ortega's recent discussion of her work and career.
- Screen Daily: Updates on Ortega's upcoming film projects.
- Entertainment industry reporting on The Gallerist and its 2026 distribution.
Editorial note: This article reflects publicly available information and reporting available as of August 12, 2026. Release schedules and production details may change as Netflix and the relevant studios provide further announcements.
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