The gothic halls of Nevermore Academy are about to reopen, and with them comes the return of everyone’s favorite deadpan teen, Wednesday Addams. Netflix’s smash-hit series Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega as the iconic Addams Family daughter, is set to launch its highly anticipated second season in two parts: Part 1 on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 on September 3, 2025. With a chilling new teaser trailer and a batch of haunting first-look images recently unveiled, fans are buzzing with excitement over what promises to be a darker, more complex chapter in Wednesday’s supernatural saga. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season, from its bold new direction to its star-studded cast and eerie mysteries.
A Two-Part Release to Keep Fans Hooked
When Wednesday Season 1 premiered in November 2022, it took the world by storm, becoming Netflix’s most-watched English-language series with 252 million views and spending 20 weeks in the streamer’s global Top 10. The show’s blend of gothic horror, sharp humor, and teen drama, paired with Jenna Ortega’s mesmerizing performance, cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon. Now, nearly three years later, Netflix is doubling down on the hype by splitting Season 2 into two parts, a strategy previously used for hits like Bridgerton and Stranger Things. Part 1, comprising the first four episodes, drops on August 6, while Part 2, with the final four episodes, follows on September 3. This staggered release is designed to keep audiences talking, theorizing, and eagerly awaiting each new installment.
The decision to split the season has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans, eager to binge the entire story, expressed frustration over the wait between parts. Others see it as a savvy move to sustain momentum, ensuring Wednesdaydominates conversations throughout the summer. Regardless, the first six minutes of the season, revealed at Netflix’s TUDUM 2025 event on May 31, have already set the internet ablaze, offering a tantalizing glimpse into Wednesday’s “eventful summer” filled with creepy dolls, knives, and a harrowing airport scene.
Jenna Ortega Shines as Wednesday Addams
At the heart of Wednesday is Jenna Ortega, whose portrayal of the razor-witted, death-obsessed teen has earned widespread acclaim. Ortega, who also steps into a producer role this season, has teased that Season 2 will push boundaries, leaning harder into horror while ditching the romantic subplots that defined parts of Season 1. “We’re ditching any romantic love interest for Wednesday, which is really great,” she told Variety, emphasizing a focus on her character’s independence and intellect. This shift aligns with Wednesday’s core essence—a fiercely autonomous outcast who runs circles around everyone she meets.
Ortega’s commitment to the role is evident in her preparation. Beyond mastering the cello, fencing, and archery for Season 1, she’s teased that Season 2 features “bigger, more elaborate sequences” inspired by horror classics like Carrie, Prom Night, and even Full Metal Jacket. One particularly striking image she described involves Pugsley, Wednesday’s younger brother, with a contraption forcing his eyes back in a nod to Stanley Kubrick’s intense visuals. With Ortega’s star power amplified by recent roles in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Death of a Unicorn, her return as Wednesday is poised to be a career-defining moment.
A Darker, Horror-Heavy Storyline
Season 2 picks up with Wednesday returning to Nevermore Academy, the school for supernatural outcasts where she unraveled a murder spree in Season 1. According to the official synopsis, she’ll face “fresh foes and woes” while navigating family, friends, and old adversaries. A new bone-chilling supernatural mystery takes center stage, plunging Wednesday into a web of intrigue that’s “darker and more complex” than before, as co-showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar have promised. The season will also delve deeper into Addams Family lore, expanding the roles of Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Gomez (Luis Guzmán), and Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), all of whom have been promoted to series regulars.
The teaser trailer, released on April 23, 2025, sets the tone with Wednesday’s signature deadpan charm. When Morticia remarks that this is the first time Wednesday has willingly returned to school, she quips, “It’s like returning to the scene of a crime—I already know where the bodies are buried.” The trailer hints at heightened stakes, with glimpses of brass knuckles, swords, and a Hyde, suggesting a season packed with action and suspense. Ortega has also revealed that one episode draws heavily on slasher film tropes, promising a bloody, thrilling ride for horror fans.
A Stellar Cast, New and Returning
Wednesday Season 2 boasts an impressive ensemble, blending returning favorites with exciting newcomers. Emma Myers is back as Enid Sinclair, Wednesday’s colorful werewolf roommate, with creators hinting at a deeper exploration of their friendship. Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Moosa Mostafa (Eugene), Georgie Farmer (Ajax), and Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin) also return, alongside Victor Dorobantu as the ever-loyal Thing and Fred Armisen as the chaotic Uncle Fester. The Addams Family dynamic is enriched with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán bringing gravitas to Morticia and Gomez, while Isaac Ordonez’s Pugsley steps into a larger role.
New cast members add serious star power. Steve Buscemi joins as Barry Dort, a mysterious figure at Nevermore, while Joanna Lumley plays Hester Frump, Morticia’s mother. Billie Piper, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, and Haley Joel Osment round out the roster, bringing fresh intrigue. The biggest buzz, however, surrounds Lady Gaga’s guest appearance as Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday in Part 2. Gaga’s casting, confirmed during TUDUM 2025, follows the viral success of her song “Bloody Mary” in Season 1 fan edits, making her addition a perfect nod to the show’s cultural impact.
Tim Burton’s Gothic Vision
Director Tim Burton, who helmed four episodes of Season 1, returns to direct episodes 201, 204, 207, and 208, infusing the season with his signature gothic aesthetic. Joined by directors Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson, Burton amplifies the show’s eerie atmosphere, drawing inspiration from his own classics like Beetlejuice. Co-showrunners Gough and Millar, who created the series, continue to steer the narrative, balancing dark humor with supernatural thrills. Their vision for Season 2 is ambitious, with Zeta-Jones teasing that it will be “bigger and more twisted than you could ever imagine.”
Production, which moved from Romania to Ireland due to logistical challenges, wrapped on December 4, 2024. The shift allowed for a smoother filming process, and early footage suggests a visually stunning season. From the gothic architecture of Nevermore to the creepy cemetery backdrops seen in first-look photos, every frame screams Burton’s influence.
What’s Next for Wednesday?
As Wednesday Season 2 approaches, speculation about the show’s future is rampant. Ortega has hinted that writers are already brainstorming ideas for a potential Season 3, though Netflix hasn’t given an official greenlight. A spinoff centered on Uncle Fester is also in development, promising to expand the Addams Family universe. With the first six minutes of Season 2 already sparking fan theories—Who is Wednesday’s new stalker? What’s Tyler’s fate at Willow Hill?—the stage is set for a summer of obsession.
Wednesday Season 2 isn’t just a continuation; it’s a bold evolution of a cultural juggernaut. With Jenna Ortega at the helm, a powerhouse cast, and a horror-infused story, it’s poised to dominate Netflix and beyond. Mark your calendars for August 6 and September 3, and prepare to step back into the delightfully dark world of Nevermore Academy. The knives are out, and Wednesday Addams is ready to carve her mark once more.
