Netflix’s "Wednesday" has returned with the first half of its highly anticipated second season, and fans are already abuzz with excitement, debate, and a bit of impatience. The new batch of episodes, which dropped August 6, 2025, under the title "Here We Woe Again," finds Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams back at Nevermore Academy, her psychic powers sharper than ever and her trademark deadpan wit in full swing. But as the shadows lengthen at Nevermore, Wednesday faces fresh mysteries, old family wounds, and a campus that’s changed in ways she never expected.
Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Tim Burton at the helm, "Wednesday" has always thrived on the delicate balance between macabre humor and heartfelt exploration of outsider identity. In Season 2, Part 1, that balance is tested as Wednesday returns from a summer spent poring over Goody’s Book of Shadows and dodging a serial killer. She’s convinced she’s mastered her psychic abilities, but the ominous black tears that accompany her visions suggest otherwise—and she’s determined to keep this unsettling symptom a secret, even from her loyal companion Thing (Victor Dorobantu).
Nevermore Academy, once a sanctuary for outcasts, now feels unfamiliar. Wednesday’s younger brother, Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), has enrolled, awkwardly learning to harness his ability to generate static electricity. But Pugsley is no Uncle Fester, and Wednesday has little patience for his misadventures. Meanwhile, after her heroic efforts to save the school from the hidden Hyde, Tyler (Hunter Doohan), and the scheming Marilyn Thornhill (Christina Ricci), Wednesday has become an unlikely celebrity on campus. Fame brings its own problems—a persistent stalker, a disturbing vision about her best friend Enid (Emma Myers), and a new principal, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), whose leadership style marks a sharp departure from the late Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie).
Principal Dort, eager to usher in a new era of Outcast pride, enlists Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones) to help raise funds for an upcoming gala. But as Wednesday quickly discovers, Nevermore’s new ethos is more about optics than substance. In a scene that’s already being hailed as one of Jenna Ortega’s finest moments, Wednesday is asked to deliver an inspirational speech at a school rally, only to turn the tables on her audience. After initially riling up the crowd, she declares, "And by enemies, I mean any imbecile stupid enough to cheer on some shallow, rabble-rousing diatribe like that." She continues, "You thought I was your hero? I’m not. I always play dirty, and I never fight fair. The only side I’m on is my own, and the only place I’ll lead you is off a cliff. So, do not put me on a pedestal, because I will burn it down," before setting fire to a painting meant to immortalize her as a hero. According to /Film, this moment encapsulates Wednesday’s refusal to be boxed in, either by her peers or by the narrative expectations of others.
Behind the scenes, Ortega’s commitment to authenticity has been a driving force. As reported by /Film, she even rewrote some of her dialogue during Season 2 to ensure Wednesday’s voice remained true to the character’s roots, a move that initially ruffled feathers but ultimately strengthened the show’s core identity. Ortega’s portrayal has been widely lauded, with critics noting that her performance in the premiere episode is a standout—channeling both the rebellious spirit of the original Charles Addams cartoons and the gothic flair of Tim Burton’s vision.
The Addams family itself is more present than ever in Season 2. Catherine Zeta-Jones’s Morticia and Luis Guzman’s Gomez are now fixtures at Nevermore, assisting with the school’s fundraising efforts. The arrival of Grandmama Frump (Joanna Lumley), portrayed as a major donor but estranged from Morticia due to a mysterious family feud, adds another layer of intrigue. As Variety reports, the season delves deeper into Addams family lore, exploring the strained relationship between Wednesday and her mother, as well as long-buried secrets that threaten to upend everything Wednesday thought she knew about her lineage.
Fans of the show will notice that the supernatural boarding school setting—complete with werewolves, gorgons, and sirens—remains as vibrant and strange as ever. While some critics, as noted by Variety, have drawn comparisons to the "Harry Potter" franchise, arguing that Nevermore is a Hogwarts stand-in, most agree that "Wednesday" carves out its own distinct identity through its blend of dark comedy, mystery, and coming-of-age drama. The themes of alienation, friendship, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships resonate far beyond the show’s teen-centric trappings.
Wednesday’s status as a reluctant campus celebrity is both a blessing and a curse. Her vision of Enid in mortal danger introduces a ticking clock element to the narrative, straining their friendship and forcing Wednesday to confront the limits of her precognition. The show’s willingness to explore the emotional fallout of these supernatural challenges is part of what’s endeared it to audiences worldwide.
Jenna Ortega’s journey to the role of Wednesday is itself a story worth telling. According to Entertainment Weekly, Ortega first auditioned for the character in an animated Addams Family project in 2019, recording her lines in a broom closet while her mother stood guard outside. Though Chloë Grace Moretz ultimately voiced Wednesday in the animated film, Ortega’s dream came true when she was cast in Netflix’s live-action series—a role that quickly became her breakout, alongside performances in "Scream" and "X." Catherine Zeta-Jones, for her part, was so eager to work with Tim Burton that she accepted the role of Morticia without even reading the script, saying, "I just said, 'When do you want me to get on a plane?'"
The show’s popularity is undeniable. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, "Wednesday" became Netflix’s most-viewed English-language series and the second-most viewed overall after "Squid Game’s" first season. The second season, while not topping charts as quickly as its predecessor, currently boasts an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes—an improvement over Season 1’s 73%. The critical consensus points to a series that’s only growing more confident in its storytelling and character work.
Not everything about the new season has been met with universal praise. Some critics, including those at Variety, have questioned the decision to split Season 2 into two parts, arguing that viewers would have gladly binged the entire run in one go. The first half concludes with the episode "If These Woes Could Talk," leaving audiences eager—and perhaps a bit frustrated—for the second half, which is scheduled to drop September 3, 2025.
For now, "Wednesday" remains a flagship Netflix series, having been renewed for a third season as of July 2025. With its blend of gothic whimsy, sharp social commentary, and a cast that brings the Addams family to vivid life, there’s little doubt that Wednesday Addams will continue to burn down pedestals—and expectations—for seasons to come.
