Wednesday Season 2 on Netflix: Bigger Cast, Wilder Plots, and All the Drama You Didn’t Expect
Netflix’s Wednesday took the world by storm when it launched in 2022, quickly smashing records to become the streaming platform’s most-watched English-language TV show. With that kind of success, it’s no surprise that season 2 is bigger in every way — from its cast to its budget, and even its filming location in Ireland. However, as the new season rolls out, the show’s expanded scope brings both excitement and a few growing pains.
- Season 2 features a much larger cast and production
- New characters and plots sometimes feel disconnected
- Main characters face new challenges and shifting relationships
- Production values are higher, but character development suffers
- The first half of the season is now streaming; the second half arrives in September
Wednesday Returns to Nevermore
In the new season, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) heads back to Nevermore Academy. Surprisingly, she’s now the school’s most popular student after saving everyone in season 1. While her friends Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) and Eugene Ottinger (Moosa Mostafa) enjoy the fame, Wednesday is less than thrilled. She’s focused on solving a new occult mystery: a murder of crows is literally committing murder, and she has a vision that Enid might be their next victim.
More Characters, More Problems
Season 2’s success means a much bigger cast. For example, Eugene gets caught up in a subplot with Wednesday’s brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) and a zombie named Slurp (Owen Painter). This storyline aims to highlight the Addams family’s macabre side, but it’s a bit predictable, especially as Slurp escapes in the same way more than once. Still, this plot is set to become more important later in the season.
Love, Friendship, and Family Drama
This time, Enid steps into the romance spotlight, moving on from Ajax (Georgie Farmer) to fellow werewolf Bruno (Noah B. Taylor). Despite her new confidence, Enid still wants to be part of Wednesday’s world. However, Wednesday tries to keep her in the dark to protect her, causing tension between the friends.
Meanwhile, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez (Luis Guzmán) have bigger roles. They move onto the Nevermore campus to help with a fundraiser, thanks to new principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi). Zeta-Jones stands out in her scenes, especially during a fencing duel with Wednesday, which is both visually and emotionally striking.
New Faces and Side Stories
Steve Buscemi brings a different energy as the school’s new principal, showing both charm and menace, especially in scenes with Bianca Barclay (Joy Sunday). Bianca’s story, involving her mom and a manipulative cult leader, feels disconnected from the main plot. Similarly, Morticia’s strained relationship with her own mother, Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley), is introduced but not deeply explored.
Other notable newcomers include Christopher Lloyd as a talking head in a jar, Thandiwe Newton as a psychiatrist for Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan), and Billie Piper as the new music teacher Isadora Capri. Piper’s character has a memorable entrance, but after that, she mostly encourages Wednesday to join a band and play The Cranberries’ “Zombie” during a zombie attack.
On the other hand, Agnes DeMille (Evie Templeton), a quirky new student eager to join Wednesday’s inner circle, fits right in. Her over-the-top attempts to help Wednesday — and compete with Enid — add some much-needed fun to the group dynamic.
Bigger Production, Less Heart?
Season 2’s production values are impressive, with larger sets and more visual effects. There’s even a new group of students called the Da Vincis, who can build almost anything. However, many of these big moments, like a school camping trip or a flying burning bird, feel like references to other movies rather than original ideas. Even with Tim Burton directing a two-minute animated ghost story, nothing quite matches the magic of Wednesday’s famous dance scene from season 1.
Jenna Ortega, now also a producer, has a bigger role behind the scenes, but the writing still struggles to give every character enough time. The show’s many new elements sometimes leave the main characters and their relationships feeling a bit thin.
What’s Next?
The first four episodes of Wednesday season 2 are now available to stream on Netflix. The second half of the season will be released on September 3. For now, fans can enjoy the spectacle and see how Wednesday and her friends handle the challenges of fame, friendship, and a whole lot of supernatural trouble.
