Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Lost Role in ‘Wednesday’

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega has quickly grown to be one of the maximum famous young stars in Hollywood, thanks largely to her acclaimed overall performance because the titular character in Netflix’s hit series Wednesday. However, Ortega recently revealed that she almost missed out on playing the iconic character, first losing the role but eventually getting cast.

Wednesday Star Jenna Ortega’s Beginnings as a Child Star

Jenna Ortega, now twenty years old, has been performing due to the fact that she become a child. She landed her first fundamental position at simply 10 years old, playing young Jane on the CW drama Jane the Virgin from 2014 to 2019. This breakout part proved Ortega had serious talent, helping jumpstart her career.

Over the subsequent several years, Ortega gradually booked greater excessive-profile jobs, inclusive of roles in popular indicates like Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle and Netflix’s You. She also regarded in important films like Insidious: Chapter 2, Iron Man three, and Yes Day.

Getting Cast as Wednesday Addams

In 2021, Tim Burton announced he would be directing a new TV series focused on Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family. The show would follow Wednesday during her teen years, meaning the casting of the lead role was integral to the show’s success.

Ortega immediately tried out for the coveted part, knowing it was perfect for her. “I felt like I was a pretty obvious choice to play Wednesday,” she told MTV News.

However, Ortega shockingly did not get the role at first. Another actress was chosen over her following an extensive audition process.

Handling Rejection and Getting a Second Chance

Not getting the part of Wednesday initially upset Ortega. “I tried very hard not to get excited for the audition and stay neutral, but I felt extremely passionate about the role,” she admitted.

Though disappointed, Ortega did not give up hope completely. She knew there was still a possibility she could end up playing Wednesday if things did not work out with the other actress. “I was just hoping for the best and keeping my expectations very low,” Ortega explained.

Her patience and persistence paid off when Burton ended up letting go of the previous actress he cast. Production delays due to COVID-19 meant filming would start several months later, allowing the search to continue.

Ortega then auditioned again, this time landing the role. According to her, “I got a phone call…saying that Tim was interested in my application.”. It was the ultimate second chance, and Ortega was prepared to make the most of it.

Wednesday Star Jenna Ortega Portraying the Iconic Character

Once she was officially cast as Wednesday, Ortega fully embodied the character and Burton’s vision. “I went through the entire script and I marked every time she smiled or frowned or scowled,” Ortega detailed about getting into character.

She closely studied previous Addams Family films to nail Wednesday’s mannerisms, deadpan expressions, and signature look. Ortega also learned to play the cello and did her own archery stunts to master Wednesday’s skills.

Ortega worked tirelessly to fully embody Wednesday Addams. She studied the character’s mannerisms, from her iconic walk to her distinctive way of speaking. Collaborating with a dialect coach, Ortega mastered Wednesday’s unique cadence and delivery. Through meticulous attention to details like gait and diction, she immersed herself completely in becoming the peculiar Wednesday that fans loved.

Her tireless preparation and commitment definitely paid off when filming began. Ortega was able to disappear completely into the weird, creepy, and mysterious Wednesday that fans loved.

Instant Pop Culture Phenomenon

Upon its November 2022 premiere, Wednesday became an immediate smash hit. Critics praised the show’s dark humor and Ortega’s stellar performance.

She nailed Wednesday’s sullen attitude, launching viral memes and TikTok trends inspired by the character. Ortega quickly became Gen Z’s favorite actress thanks to Wednesday’s massive popularity.

Fans have connected deeply with Ortega’s portrayal of the oddball outcast. Her Wednesday is smart, brave, and unapologetically herself. Ortega makes the role funny, nuanced, and weirdly relatable, inspiring countless fans.

Ortega has since hailed it as her “dream role” that she was destined to play. As Ortega explained, she felt a personal connection to Wednesday’s inner struggles for identity and self-discovery. The character’s journey deeply resonated with her own experiences as a young person trying to find her place in the world. “That’s all of us.”

Awards Success and Acclaim

In addition to becoming a meme queen and TikTok icon, Ortega’s knockout performance as Wednesday has earned prestigious awards recognition.

She received Best Actress in a New Series on the 2022 People’s Choice Awards. Ortega additionally obtained Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for her nuanced, hilarious portrayal.

Given the show’s meteoric achievement, Ortega is anticipated to land an Emmy nomination this year as nicely. Respected publications like Time Magazine and Rolling Stone have named her performance among the best of 2022.

Despite the outpouring of praise and accolades, Ortega remains humble. “My job is not to judge my performance or anything like that,” she told the LA Times. “I just try to make the best choices I can.”

Looking Ahead to Season 2

Netflix quickly renewed Wednesday for a second season after the show became its third most-watched English language series ever. The news thrilled fans eager to see more of Ortega’s pitch-perfect Wednesday.

The production team will begin filming this spring, though they are still keeping the plot details under wraps. Ortega promises an even darker, creepier season as Wednesday continues to harness her psychic powers at Nevermore Academy.

“I feel like the first season was definitely an introduction to her but we didn’t get to delve too deeply into the many layers that make Wednesday up,” Ortega teased. My excitement about peeling back those layers continues to grow.”

Fans can undoubtedly expect even more viral moments from Ortega in the role that made her a superstar. Wednesday’s second season will likely be another massive hit for Netflix because of Ortega’s unique charisma.

Summary

Jenna Ortega has proved herself as one of the most talented actresses of her generation with her portrayal of Wednesday Addams. After initially losing the role, Ortega persevered and made sure she was fully prepared when luck gave her a second chance.

Her iconic, meme-worthy performance launched Ortega to new levels of fame. She masterfully embodied the peculiar Wednesday that fans across generations have loved. Ortega’s brilliant acting skills, diligent preparation, and perfect comedic timing brought the classic character vibrantly to life in a new way.

Wednesday’s wild success is a testament to Ortega’s gifts as a performer. She has demonstrated impressive range throughout her career. But Ortega was truly born to play this part, creating an unforgettable breakout star turn as Wednesday Addams. She is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s brightest young talents to watch.