After a three-year hiatus, Netflix’s macabre hit "Wednesday" has returned with a second season that’s already stirring up both excitement and speculation among fans. The gothic coming-of-age series, which became Netflix’s most-watched English language show after its 2022 debut, is back with new mysteries, an expanded cast, and a few surprising changes—including the recasting of a beloved Addams Family member.
Season 2, split into two parts, kicked off on August 6, 2025, with the first four episodes dropping all at once. Fans who binged through the cliffhanger ending of part 1 will have to wait until September 3 for the remaining episodes—a move co-creator Miles Millar likened to serving "a satisfying meal" before bringing out dessert. According to Millar, "We wanted to close the doors and make the first four episodes feel like a satisfying meal, but there’s a lot more. You want dessert, and dessert is part 2."
This new season sees Jenna Ortega reprise her now-iconic role as Wednesday Addams, the sharp-tongued, psychic teen navigating the supernatural corridors of Nevermore Academy. Ortega’s performance remains the show’s anchor, but this time, the series has grown in confidence and complexity. As USA TODAY notes, "There are marked improvements over the first season, from the expanded roles for characters like Morticia Addams...and a deemphasis on teen romance...but also a general confidence and watchability that was lacking in Season 1."
One of the most talked-about changes in season 2 is the recasting of Lurch, the Addams Family’s silent, stoic chauffeur. George Burcea, who embodied the towering servant in the first season, did not return—citing personal reasons he confirmed on Instagram. Stepping into the role is Joonas Suotamo, a Finnish actor best known for playing Chewbacca in the recent Star Wars films. Suotamo’s imposing presence and understated performance have already won fans over, despite the big shoes he had to fill. As reported by Screen Rant, "Suotamo has slotted in seamlessly to Wednesday's cast, despite playing such a notable character."
While Lurch remains a supporting figure, his importance to the show’s quirky tone is undeniable. The transition was made somewhat easier by the fact that the Addams Family played a smaller role in season 1, but Suotamo’s portrayal hints at a potentially expanded role for Lurch as the season progresses. The decision to recast was not made lightly, but with Suotamo’s strong start, viewers are eager to see what new dimensions he brings to the character.
Fans of the show will also notice a major shift in the storytelling approach. Season 2 is described as more streamlined and urgent, with a tighter plot and higher stakes. Wednesday finds herself at her weakest—her psychic powers are faltering just as a new, elusive enemy threatens Nevermore Academy and her ever-optimistic roommate, Enid. The personal stakes for Wednesday are higher than ever, drawing viewers deeper into her world. As USA TODAY puts it, "Wednesday is drawn into the mystery because she has real skin in the game, not because it just happens to be there. Her personal stakes make a huge difference in developing sympathy and affection for the character."
The show’s creators, Al Gough and Miles Millar, along with director Tim Burton, have made a concerted effort to develop the supporting cast as well. Morticia Addams, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, takes on a larger role, adding new layers to the mother-daughter dynamic. Other returning favorites include Emma Myers as Enid and Joy Sunday as Bianca, both of whom are given more depth and agency this season.
But it’s not just the old faces making waves. The second season introduces a host of new characters, played by a star-studded lineup including Lady Gaga, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Billie Piper, Heather Matarazzo, and Thandiwe Newton. These additions are more than just cameos; they bring substantive new threads to the story. According to USA TODAY, "New characters played by Billie Piper, Heather Matarazzo, Thandiwe Newton, and Steve Buscemi are adding something substantial to the tale, not just cameos for the sake of one more famous name in the credits."
One standout new character is Slurp, an evil, brain-eating zombie brought to life by Pugsley Addams. Played by Owen Painter, Slurp has quickly become a fan favorite for his chaotic antics and bizarre charm. Painter, best known for his roles in "Tiny Beautiful Things" and "The Handmaid’s Tale," underwent a dramatic transformation for the part, spending months perfecting the zombie’s physicality. As he told Netflix’s Tudum, "My poor neighbors, seriously. I was like flopping around on the floor for a couple of months...I really would try my hardest to actually feel like this creature that the kids had to deal with—like this dog that was coming off the leash."
Slurp’s presence adds a new layer of horror and unpredictability to the series. With deep connections to Nevermore Academy and a mysterious history with ex-science teacher Augustus Stonehurst, his role is expected to grow in part 2. For now, fans are left speculating about Slurp’s true intentions and how he fits into the larger narrative.
The structure of the season itself is a departure from the whodunit format of season 1. This time, the mystery is split across the two parts, with part 1 ending on a dramatic cliffhanger. As co-creator Alfred Gough teased to Variety, "At the end of part 1, she’s literally blown up the world. Once she’s let everyone out, what has she unleashed? And how is she gonna be able to contain it? Wednesday is, in some ways, her own worst enemy, and her hubris always comes back to haunt her."
This two-part release strategy mirrors other recent Netflix hits like "Bridgerton" and "Stranger Things," building anticipation and giving fans time to digest each half. The full season will consist of eight episodes, just like its predecessor, with the final four episodes—"Let Me Woe You Again," and the three-part "The Final Woe Down"—all landing on September 3.
As viewers await the resolution of the season’s mysteries, the consensus is clear: "Wednesday" has grown up. It’s darker, funnier, and more emotionally resonant, with enough twists and fresh faces to keep everyone guessing. With the promise of more chaos, horror, and Addams Family antics, September can’t come soon enough for fans eager to see what Wednesday unleashes next.
For now, the world of Nevermore Academy feels more alive—and more unpredictable—than ever before.
