The new series “Wednesday” starring Jenna Ortega made me think differently about the character as a whole. Being someone that has seen almost every Addams Family series from movies to random cameos about the family, and as a fictional family it that was interesting to see a series just about Wednesday. The fact that the series is live-action just made it better than any animated version of her could be. The actress Jenna Ortega being the opposite of her character Wednesday was a shock to some if not most given that she normally plays the bubbly and girly girl stereotype kind of character when she stars in Disney shows. This is part of the reason why most fans of The Addams Family and Wednesday were scared that the series was going to be a flop, but instead, it was the complete opposite.  (at least in my opinion) what comes to my mind when I think about the character Wednesday Addams is the stereotype of an average goth girl, but has changed when her psychic abilities and powers came to light. Given that the series incorporates this ability compared to past versions and actresses playing her this is seen as the first too many especially in this generation.

The character development within the eighth episode shows “Wednesday” is seen trying to come into her own self by showcasing how differently she shows her nice side, while maintaining her cold and what some could see as a brutal personality. Given that the show is directed toward a teenage audience goes to show that most teenagers if not all struggle within a school environment. Some more than others while finding who exactly they are. For someone or in this case a character such as “Wednesday” was refreshing to see her effort from as little as there was none in the beginning to how much of an improvement there was towards the end.

The character that is “Wednesday Addams” helps fans understand the way, and how a person like her can see and view the world with her dark aura, and personality. “Wednesday Addams” is all that viewers, fans, and critics talked about after the show aired and made its release prior to the weeks that followed. The series has been looked at as a success while some found it hard to enjoy after Jenna Ortega took it upon herself to really get in tune with her character by choreographing a dance herself. Within one of the episodes, she dances to the song “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps making it hard for some viewers to watch.  The actress confessed to being insecure about the dance she choreographed in an interview with J-14 ” I actually felt insecure about this. I choreographed that myself and I think it’s very obvious that I’m not a dancer”. The actress had gotten inspiration from goth kids dancing in a club during the ’80s. This fact made it hard for some viewers as they learned that this was her way of being inspired and her source of inspiration. Due to this many could easily think that she was making fun of the original people who went to clubs when that was not the case.  The actress was paying tribute along with trying her best to capture the kind of dance that she’s seen in videos.  Dancing wasn’t the only talent she picked up in order to give the role of  Wednesday Addams a good name and reputation. the actress learned how to play the cello two months prior to filming, and even wishes to pursue playing the instrument in the future as she thinks that it has a beautiful and angelic sound.

The director and creator of films such as “Edward Scissor Hands”, “Corpse Bride”, and “Beetlejuice” just to name a few by Tim Burton casted Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams as he felt best to have her play the role. The actress was seeking to be given a role that had both mystery and dark characteristics as this would steer her out of the roles she normally played. The actress thinks of Wednesday as a gay icon. The reason for this is that Wednesday is the kind of character that doesn’t care what people think of her and does not give in to the satisfaction of pleasing others. ” She’s somebody who embraces her differences and isn’t out to please anybody. And I feel like that’s a really really powerful thing to see” Jenna Ortega explained to PopBuzz. Some viewers of this generation can be familiar with Christina Ricci’s version of Wednesday Addams in the 1991 film. The differences between the film and the series is Wednesday being portrayed as a preteen and the adventures she has with her family. Whereas in the series Wednesday is portrayed as an actual teenager in a boarding school with no supporting characters such as the rest of the Addams Family to a certain extent. Most of the time Wednesday is solving a mystery by herself and with the help of her friend and roommate Enid Sinclair played by Emma Myers.