Jenna Ortega said she is working to ensure her portrayal of Wednesday Addams remains dry and witty without becoming mean [1, 2].
This distinction is critical for the longevity of the character. By maintaining a balance between a dead-pan personality and genuine cruelty, Ortega seeks to keep the character relatable to viewers while preserving the dark essence of the Addams family legacy.
Speaking during press interviews for the second season of the Netflix series, Ortega discussed the nuance required to play the role [1, 2]. She said that the character's darkness is a key appeal, but there is a fine line between being sharp and being a bully.
"I try to balance Wednesday’s dry attitude without making her mean," Ortega said [1].
Ortega's approach involves focusing on the character's intelligence and wit. She wants the audience to appreciate the irony, and sarcasm of Wednesday's world without feeling that the character is simply malicious toward others.
"I love Wednesday’s darkness, but I don’t want her to be cruel just for the sake of it," Ortega said [2].
This creative direction suggests a desire to evolve the character's social dynamics as the series progresses. By avoiding a portrayal that is overly cruel, the actress can explore more complex emotional layers, and relationships within the story.
Ortega said the goal is to keep the character sharp [3]. She said, "The goal is to keep her sharp and witty, not to turn her into a bully" [3].
The effort to maintain this balance comes as the series prepares for its second season, where the character's growth and interactions with the students at Nevermore Academy will likely continue to be a focal point of the narrative [1, 2].
“"I try to balance Wednesday’s dry attitude without making her mean."”
Ortega's focus on avoiding cruelty suggests a strategic shift toward character depth over caricature. By distinguishing between a 'dry attitude' and 'meanness,' the production aims to maintain the character's edge while ensuring she remains a protagonist that the audience can root for, preventing the character from becoming a one-dimensional antagonist in her own show.
