Director Tim Burton revealed that the highly anticipated second season of Netflix's hit series "Wednesday" will delve deeper into the complex family dynamics of the iconic Addams household. During a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Burton explained that this season explores the intricate relationships between multiple generations of the Addams family, particularly focusing on the mother-daughter dynamics between Wednesday, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and Morticia's own mother.
"This season, we delve a bit more into the family relationships," Burton stated. "Everybody's got a weird family and this one is no different. So we just explore the mother-daughter [dynamics] and Morticia and her mother and Wednesday. The family dynamic is a bit richer." The renowned director, famous for his distinctive dark-fantasy aesthetic, emphasized that the show continues to celebrate the uniqueness of unconventional families.
The original "Wednesday" series became a phenomenal global success after its 2022 Netflix premiere, breaking multiple records by accumulating over 1.7 billion viewing hours and becoming the most-watched English-language television series on the streaming platform. The show follows Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, as she navigates life at the supernatural Nevermore Academy while investigating a series of gruesome murders and developing her emerging psychic abilities.
Following the massive success of the first season, Netflix greenlit a second season, with the first four episodes being released on August 6. Ortega, who reprises her role as the titular character, has also taken on the additional responsibility of serving as a producer this season. She described this new role as a "natural progression" that has allowed her greater involvement in the creative process behind the series.
"I felt like a secret door had opened up and it was this whole new world that I hadn't been invited to before," Ortega explained about her expanded role. When discussing her character's development, she emphasized that Wednesday's core personality remains unchanged while those around her must adapt. "She didn't change. She knows exactly who she is. Everybody else is around her and has to catch up," Ortega said. "I think her biggest conflict or challenge is learning to rely on family and friends."
Emma Myers, who plays Wednesday's cheerful werewolf roommate Enid Sinclair, revealed that her character has undergone significant transformation in the new season. "The Enid we meet in Season 2 is a bit different. She's had a summer with her wolf pack and comes back with a lot more confidence in herself," Myers explained. She also hinted at a more complex and "confusing" relationship between Enid and Wednesday as the two characters navigate misunderstandings that arise from Wednesday's psychic visions.
When questioned about the pressure of following up on the first season's record-breaking success, Burton emphasized the importance of maintaining artistic integrity and avoiding overthinking the creative process. "When we made the first season, we were just making it. We had no idea, so we just made what we felt," he said. "The danger is to overthink it and go, 'Oh, it's successful for this reason, or that reason.' It was more important for the second season not to overthink it."
Ortega echoed Burton's philosophy when discussing her approach to Wednesday's signature deadpan humor and poker-faced expressions. "I really try not to think about it. I think the problem is when you begin to start trying to be funny, it doesn't become funny anymore," she explained. "I think what people appreciate most about Wednesday is she kind of says or emotes what everybody is thinking or feeling already, but doesn't make herself more digestible for anyone."
The cast and director also discussed the show's central theme of celebrating outcasts and misfits, which has been a consistent element throughout Burton's decades-long career in filmmaking. "I've never had one family that isn't weird," Burton observed. "Most people have a strange existence. In fact, when I hear the word normal, I get disturbed because I don't know exactly what that means. To me, normal people scare me more than sort of what you consider outcasts."
Ortega added her perspective on the importance of embracing individuality, particularly for young viewers. "I'm very inspired by these young girls who, at their age, it's so easy to fall into the bandwagon mentality, but they don't. They are themselves. I do think that the most lovable ones are the disturbed ones and the strange ones, just because we all feel like that," she said.
Burton expressed genuine enthusiasm about working with the cast of "Wednesday," describing them as family and crediting them as a primary motivation for his continued involvement in the project. "Working with them is one of the reasons why I want to do this show," he said. "They are so talented and they inspire me... That's what keeps me going every day. It's the creativity, the joy, and that's why you like to make things."
As a special treat for Korean fans, Ortega revealed that Myers, who is a self-proclaimed K-pop enthusiast, and her character Enid will have a dedicated moment celebrating Korean culture in the upcoming episodes. "Episode 6... is a very Enid-centered episode and she's a huge lover of Korean culture and we have some songs in there that you guys might appreciate," Ortega disclosed. The second part of season two, which includes this Enid-focused episode, is scheduled for release on September 3.
