Star Power Surge: Wednesday Adds Major Names in Season 2

Netflix has provided fans with their first look at Billie Piper in the new role she will be taking on for the upcoming second season of Wednesday. The gothic comedy series, starring Jenna Ortega, has announced a brand new addition to its cast in the form of 42-year-old Piper.

Billie Piper was revealed to be playing the role of Isadora Capri, the genius music teacher at Nevermore Academy. Her best-known work in similar gothic and supernatural roles to date is perhaps as Brona Croft/The Bride of Frankenstein in Penny Dreadful.

Described as an ex-child prodigy, Isadora Capri shows a particular interest in Wednesday’s musical abilities, but she also teaches the werewolf student Enid Sinclair, played by series regular Emma Myers.

The first look at Piper in her role was shared by Netflix at the same time as big updates for the future of the record-breaking series. The show originally launched on the streaming service in November 2022 and quickly became one of the most successful worldwide. It had an astonishing 252 million viewers across the globe, making it Netflix’s biggest English-language series of all time.

In the wake of the show’s huge success, it was renewed in January 2023 for a second season, which we now know is confirmed to be released this August.

Wednesday stars Jenna Ortega as the dark reimagining of Wednesday Addams. The 22-year-old character finds herself at Nevermore Academy, a school for supernatural misfits, and is forced to navigate her new environment. Mixing the hallmarks of horror and comedy with a teen drama rebellion, the show quickly won over audiences and critics. It even earned Emmy nominations and has a dedicated fanbase.

Wednesday Season 3 Renewal and Spin-Off Series Are Coming

In addition to the first look at Billie Piper in her role as Isadora Capri, Netflix has revealed even more big updates for the popular series. The streaming service has now confirmed that Wednesday has been officially renewed for a third season.

There is even more in store for the growing show as a spin-off series is reportedly already in the works. The Hollywood Reporter was told that “development for the expansion of the Wednesday universe is currently underway.”

Details are currently under embargo, but co-creator Alfred Gough has teased the possibilities. “It’s something we’re noodling; there are other characters we can look at,” he said.

The updates have been met with huge excitement from fans on social media. Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays Morticia Addams on the show, was also in on the fun as she confirmed the news in an Instagram post of her own. “When Wednesday comes, a better day. Wednesday season three. It’s official… we shall return,” she wrote, to which fans left comments such as, “And for many more seasons,” and, “I can’t wait to see the second season, I’m waiting for it with great curiosity… and the third is already official, fantastic news!”

Some fans also voiced hope that filming for the third season would be able to start quickly this time around. One viewer noted, “Ugh, I will be screaming and gripping the sheets in agony waiting, but please… don’t let us wait three years again.” They reference the fact that while the second season was officially announced in January 2023, it will still be more than two years since the original series launched. Fans have noted that they hope it won’t take as long for season three to arrive this time around.

Tim Burton, 66, also returns as an executive producer and directed a couple of episodes. He has also just finished working with Ortega again for the upcoming Beetlejuice, a sequel to his 1988 cult film.

The second season is adding an abundance of new talent in addition to Billie Piper. The new cast members also include the likes of Lady Gaga, Steve Buscemi, Joanna Lumley, and Thandie Newton. Some of the returning regulars include Gwendoline Christie as the headteacher, Larissa Weems and Luis Guzmán as Wednesday’s father, Gomez Addams.

Jenna Ortega herself has also expanded her role on the show. She has now moved into a producer position. This follows some controversy over a podcast interview in which the actress said that she often “changed lines” and had to “put my foot down” when inconsistencies in the character occurred.

Director Tim Burton publicly defended her, saying that her comments were misinterpreted. Co-creator Alfred Gough also backed her up and suggested her new producer title “makes absolute sense, because she’s been so involved creatively… She’s always on scripts; she’s always giving notes.”

Joanna Lumley was also one of the new cast members who expressed her excitement at being a part of the show: “There’s always something thrilling about working for Tim Burton. His whole mind takes him to a different world, and the world that they’ve created here for Wednesday and Nevermore and the family is just intoxicating.”

Alongside Billie Piper, the confirmation of season three, and a spin-off in the works, there is no shortage of new things coming to the Wednesday universe. Fans can only wait until August for the release of the next batch of macabre mysteries.