Netflix Drama: ‘Wednesday’ Snatches Lead Star from ‘Stranger Things,’ Filming Chaos Ensues

Is Winona Ryder about to join the cast of Wednesday? It seems that Jenna Ortega is looking forward to the day that the Beetlejuice stars can reunite at Nevermore Academy.

Pop culture’s most beloved goth girls, Wednesday Addams and Lydia Deetz, share more than just their iconic bangs and love for all things black these days…

They’re deeply connected, especially with Tim Burton, the mastermind behind Beetlejuice, directing Wednesday’s own Netflix series. Given that Winona Ryder, Burton’s frequent collaborator, also stars in the streaming giant’s hit sci-fi show Stranger Things, it’s easy to envision a crossover where she makes an appearance in The Addams Family spin-off.

Even recently, Jenna Ortega proved why she’s the kind of refreshing Hollywood star we need and how much she respects Ryder, being someone who stands up for her co-stars and won’t tolerate disrespect. During a photocall for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, the 21-year-old actress showed just how close she is with Winona Ryder through a simple but powerful gesture. When a rude photographer got loud, the Wednesday star quickly stepped in to support her castmate, and the moment was captured on camera.

In a video shared by Entertainment Tonight on TikTok, photographers repeatedly pressured the Heathers icon to remove her sunglasses for photos, despite her being content with them on. The Stranger Things star appeared to consider complying, but Jenna Ortega stepped in, reassuring her that she didn’t have to take them off if she wasn’t comfortable. In the clip, which you can watch below, the X actress can be seen gently saying, “No, you don’t have to.”

You can see the whole thing play out in the video below.

Leading ladies supporting leading ladies. ✨🥹⁠

Jenna Ortega stepped in after photographers told Winona Ryder to remove her sunglasses at the Venice International Film Festival. #jennaortega #winonaryder

@entertainmenttonight

Leading ladies supporting leading ladies. ✨🥹⁠ Jenna Ortega stepped in after photographers told Winona Ryder to remove her sunglasses at the Venice International Film Festival. #jennaortega #winonaryder

♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight – Entertainment Tonight

So, will Ryder join Ortega on Wednesday, season 2?

While all the pieces of the puzzle seem to be there, they may not be in the cards just yet.

Although Ortega loved working with Ryder, she admitted that it’s unlikely Ryder will make a cameo in the upcoming Season 2 of Wednesday, mainly due to her numerous other acting commitments. Even if the duo won’t reunite in the next season of Wednesday, Ortega is hopeful that they’ll collaborate again in the future. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits theaters on September 6th, while Wednesday Season 2 is currently in production.

Ortega told GamesRadar+:

“Man, that would be cool, but that girl is so busy. She really has no time, even trying to get to get together to do this, you know, it was [tricky]. So I don’t know about that but obviously, I would love to work with Winona again, and if it’s not on Wednesday, then it’s going to be on something else, I hope,” she continues. “We talk about it all the time, and that would be really sweet for me.”

Credit: Warner Bros.

Both Winona and Jenna are working on the top two English speaking shows on Netflix, with Wednesday having dethroned Stranger Things in terms of single season watch hours in its season 1 debut. Wednesday is currently filming in Ireland and Stranger Things is currently filming its fifth and final season, primarily in Atlanta.

Stranger Things has been confirmed for a 2025 debut, after what will be just about one year of filming.

Ryder’s appearance in a Wednesday cameo seems more likely than other cast members due to her involvement in the Netflix series Stranger Things. This existing relationship with Netflix, combined with her previous collaborations with Tim Burton on Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands, makes her a strong candidate for a cameo. Perhaps it is one that we will get to see in the future, as the show takes well to characters who are indeed strange and unusual.

The Future of Wednesday Explained

While Jenna is the star of Wednesday, there are preditions that Ortega will not be on the show past its second season, despite her new producer role.

According to industry insider Matthew Belloni, Jenna Ortega’s future with Wednesday is uncertain.

Citing Ortega’s own comments about facing challenges on set, Belloni has expressed doubts about her involvement beyond Season 2. Ortega’s remarks about asserting herself on set and deviating from the script have contributed to speculation about potential tensions with the production team.

“I have a prediction on Wednesday,” Belloni said at the time. “I do not believe that Jenna Ortega will be on the show beyond the second season. I think there’s a reason why they are developing spin-offs like the Uncle Fester show and others they have in the works. And I just feel like this may be two and done for her.”

Credit: Netflix

We know that this upcoming season of Wednesday will have less of a love storyline, and each episode is being structured to appear as more of a movie rather than tv show episode. The themes will go darker, with a stronger horror vibe.

Headlined by Jenna Ortega’s captivating performance as Wednesday Addams, the cast also features Catherine Zeta-Jones as the sophisticated Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as the charming Gomez Addams, Thora Birch as the mysterious Tamara Novak, Emma Myers as the lively Enid Sinclair, and Percy Hynes-White as the enigmatic Xavier Thorpe, though his character was written off due to false allegations.

For the second season, new talent will join the Nevermore Academy world, including Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Thandiwe Newton (Westworld), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Joanna Lumley (Fool Me Once), Frances O’Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), Heather Matarazzo (Roseanne), and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte).

What is Happening With Stranger Things 5?

Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things follows a group of lovable adolescents—Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and the enigmatic Eleven—as they navigate the trials of growing up while facing extraordinary supernatural events. Their unbreakable friendship is the foundation as they confront these otherworldly challenges together.

As the series nears its epic conclusion, anticipation for the final season has reached a fever pitch among fans worldwide. While details about the upcoming season have been tightly guarded, recent hints have sparked speculation about an imminent major announcement.

Following a tantalizing teaser from executive producer Shawn Levy, it was confirmed that the fifth and final season of Stranger Things is set for a 2025 release, concluding the nearly nine-year journey of the acclaimed series.

While the release date announcement was met with excitement, some fans expressed frustration over the extended wait for the series’ conclusion, noting that it will have taken nine years to complete just five seasons—a longer stretch than most shows.

As the curtain rises on the final act of Stranger Things, anticipation for Season 5 continues to build. Although details about the upcoming season remain shrouded in mystery, recent developments suggest that a major reveal is on the horizon.

Beyond the release date announcement, fans are eager for a glimpse into the season’s narrative direction. A well-timed video teaser featuring snippets of filmed material could effectively set the stage for the final season’s epic conclusion. A brief, ominous clip highlighting the villainous Vecna could amplify the anticipation and reinforce the sense of an impending showdown.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the season, the cast has remained vocal. Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays the menacing Vecna, described Season 5 as “totally bonkers,” hinting at an even more intense and unpredictable narrative compared to previous seasons. He also referenced a recent London play exploring Vecna’s backstory, suggesting that the final season will delve deeper into the character’s origins.

Maya Hawke, who joined the cast in Season 3, reflected on the filming experience as “heartbreaking,” acknowledging the emotional weight of concluding such a long-running journey. She further fueled excitement by comparing the production process to creating “eight movies,” suggesting a significantly expanded narrative scale with potentially longer episodes.

David Harbour, who plays fan-favorite Jim Hopper, reassured fans that the final season will not disappoint. Millie Bobby Brown has even posted while on set as Eleven. 

The Duffer Brothers, the show’s creators, have meticulously crafted the series’ mythology from the beginning. They reportedly have a comprehensive document outlining the Upside Down’s intricate lore, which will play a crucial role in the final season. While Season 4 offered subtle hints, Season 5 promises a deep dive into this mysterious dimension, as confirmed by Ross Duffer.

With the promise of a larger-than-life season featuring movie-like episodes, excitement continues to mount. As the series approaches its epic conclusion, the exploration of the Upside Down’s secrets and the fate of Hawkins and its extraordinary characters remain at the forefront.

All of this being said, due to the numerous pushbacks in filming, fans have become upset with the delays, with some stating that they no longer care for the storyline due to the extended downtime. In part, this filming issue was due to the SAG/AFTRA strike, but it did take a long time for the show to return to development for the 5th season. So much so that there had to be a time jump written into the story in order to accommodate the aging of the cast.

Would you like to see Winona Ryder star in Wednesday?