We’ll get to be reunited with the characters of Tim Burton’s adaptation of the iconic Addams Family
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
“Over the past few weeks I’ve been hunted, haunted, and mimicked millions of times across the internet. It’s been pure torture. Thank you.” With Jenna Ortega smirking at the camera after making a reference to the #WednesdayDance trend last November, Netflix announced on 6 January 2023 that their most successful series ever Wednesday would be returning back for a second series.
Series one of the cultural phenomenon Wednesday broke the record for the most hours viewed in a week for an English-language TV series on Netflix. Tim Burton’s adaptation of the iconic Addams Family follows everyone’s favourite moody teenager Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) as she navigates the trials of high school at Nevermore Academy. With a mysterious beast on the loose, Wednesday and her newfound friends must try and catch the culprit before more people get killed.
Wednesday Addams has always been an icon within the LGBTQIA community. Ever since Lisa Loring donned the infamous pigtails in the 1964 sitcom version of The Addams Family, Wednesday has championed going against the norms. Despite being teased and mocked for being different, Wednesday Addams has always been unapologetically herself. Her infamous dance to Goo Goo Muck by The Cramps at the ball in series one has been recreated across social media platforms like TikTok as a celebration of difference.
To promote series two, Netflix even held their own “WednesGay” event featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni. Drag Race star Crystal Methyd told Out: “Wednesday Addams is a queer icon because at her core she revels in being an outsider. As part of the Addams, she lives apart from mainstream culture. Instead of being shamed by the differences between her family’s way of life and that of society at large, she embraces what makes her different. She stands up for marginalized groups and faces bullies with an unflinching calm that any queer would be proud to emulate.”
Though Netflix has not confirmed any of the main characters in Wednesday as being canonically queer, we’ve got our fingers crossed that series two will see a development in the relationship fans have coined #WenClair. As Netflix themselves tweeted last November, Wednesday and her best friend Enid (Emma Myers) represent “the opposites attract storyline we needed”. Fans across the world couldn’t help but notice that Enid is the only person that seems to soften Wednesday’s hard exterior. Despite their fundamental differences – the main one being their stance on bright colours – their hug at the end of series one gave fans hope that Netflix will explore their potential romance in the next series.
The show has gained a huge following after only one series, and on TikTok alone the hashtag #WednesdayAddams has amassed over 22 billion views. The leading actress Jenna Ortega has become a sensation online, with many dubbing her as a young Aubrey Plaza for her dry sense of humour and interview quotes. With series two on the horizon, we can only imagine that Jenna and the rest of the cast will continue to grow their fandoms.
In an exclusive interview with Tudum.com, executive producers and Writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar said: “It’s been incredible to create a show that has connected with people across the world. Thrilled to continue Wednesday’s tortuous journey into season two. We can’t wait to dive head first into another season and explore the kooky spooky world of Nevermore. Just need to make sure Wednesday hasn’t emptied the pool first.”
More details about series two will be shared at a later date. In the meantime, we’re going to rewatch that dance scene until we can Fosse in our sleep.
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