Jenna Ortega admits she doubted ‘Wednesday’ would succeed

Actress Jenna Ortega has revealed that she never expected Wednesday to become a global hit, admitting that she struggled to connect with the Netflix

Actress Jenna Ortega has revealed that she never expected Wednesday to become a global hit, admitting that she struggled to connect with the Netflix series during the production of its first season.

Ortega, who plays Wednesday Addams in the popular supernatural comedy, made the revelation during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. She said she initially felt that the show was not working as intended and was surprised by the overwhelming response it received after its release.

The actress recalled being unable to watch even the first few minutes of the episodes sent to her before the first season premiered. She said she had received one or two episodes as a courtesy but could not get through the opening minutes.

Ortega said the show’s sudden popularity left her astonished. She found it difficult to believe that audiences were embracing the series so enthusiastically, particularly when she had doubts about the finished product herself.

As the show’s popularity grew, Ortega began receiving widespread public recognition. However, she said the experience felt so unexpected that she sometimes wondered whether the world’s reaction was some kind of strange mind game.

The actress admitted that she remained somewhat confused by the show’s extraordinary success, even after witnessing its impact firsthand.

Ortega also opened up about the stress she experienced while working on the first season. She said she initially struggled to establish a connection with the show’s director and producer, Tim Burton, whose reserved personality made communication challenging.

Recalling her experience of working with Burton, Ortega said she had never collaborated with anyone quite like him. She explained that he was extremely shy and often did not speak much when work began, although she noted that he had become more open over time.

Despite her early reservations, Wednesday went on to become one of Netflix’s most successful series. Its popularity turned Ortega’s portrayal of the iconic Addams Family character into a major cultural phenomenon and significantly raised her international profile.