Wednesday director vows that Jenna Ortega is 'reason Netflix phenomenon exists'
Wednesday director and executive producer Tim Burton has praised Jenna Ortega as one of the foundational reasons the show exists.
Burton, 66, joined the Netflix cast at the London premiere for the second season of the show this week, ahead of the release of the first four episodes on the streamer next Wednesday (get it).
During the red carpet, Burton stopped to speak with Metro about the phenomenon of the first season, which became the most-watched English-language show on Netflix when it was released in 2022.
As well as sharing that his favourite day of the week isn't actually Wednesday (it's Friday night), Burton spoke about his love of the affectless Addams character, saying that she was why he first got involved with the show.
'I was very grateful that it connected to people,' he said. 'I grew up on Charles Addams drawings and I was a child when the first Addams Family show came out.
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
'But for me, it was the character of Wednesday that really spoke to me.'
The show's star Jenna Ortega, 22, has said she begged to be a producer on the first season of the show, but said in an interview with Vanity Fair that she was told it was not common for actors to produce in a first season.
Ortega then came under fire from some after publicly criticising elements of the writing on the show's first season, saying that she 'put her foot down' behind the scenes on several occasions after disagreeing with decisions about the character.
While the Scream star was praised for some of her remarks, a number of writers on social media called out the comments as 'beyond entitled and toxic'.
Ortega has since taken a step up on the Wednesday season two production and is among the credited executive producers.
Speaking about Ortega's impact on the production, Burton told Metro that she's 'a big part of the reason the show exists'. More Trending
'Even on season one, I remember the first day of shooting, she was there, she was watching everything,' said the director.
'She's very, very, very smart about everything that's going on in front and behind the camera.'
View More »
Wednesday's second season launches on August 6, with the second part arriving on September 3.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Netflix show boss fires back after raunchy TV series is labelled 'vulgar'
MORE: Netflix fans 'genuinely confused' after period drama reboot makes baffling change
MORE: Nostalgic film sequel breaks records on Netflix with 46,700,000 views
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
27 minutes ago
- Metro
'Most harrowing film ever made' still available to stream as Netflix pulls it
A brutal psychological thriller described as one of the most harrowing films ever made – and which sparked walkouts with its brutal content – has been removed from Netflix. However, it still has a streaming home for viewers in the UK. The award-winning 2018 film The Nightingale was part of the group of titles Netflix removed from its vast UK back catalogue during the fist few days of August, which also included movies from the Final Destination franchise and Shrek trilogy, alongside White House Down. But for those wanting to seek out the film described as 'the most shocking of the year' and hard to watch, it is available on Amazon Prime Video for subscribers free of charge. A disturbing period-set drama, The Nightingale takes place in 1825 and follows young Irish convict Clare (Aisling Franciosi) as she hunts a British officer, played by Sam Claflin, to extract revenge for the unspeakable acts of violence he committed against her and her family. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. On the way, she enlists the services of Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr), who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The intense thriller is directed by Jennifer Kent, who made a name for herself as the writer and director of psychological horror film The Babadook, frequently cited as one of the best horror films in recent years. After premiering at Venice Film Festival, where it clinched the Special Jury Prize, The Nightingale screened as part of the Sydney Film Festival months later, where some cinemagoers revealed they had walked out over its intense and upsetting scenes. *Warning – descriptions of graphic scenes below* Alongside sequences depicting murder, assault and infanticide, there are also three visceral and horrifying rape scenes within the first 20 minutes, which according to local reports prompted protests and shouted criticisms at director Kent – who was sitting in the audience. Kent later defended the scenes, the breathtaking violence of which continues further into the film, as an 'honest and necessary depiction' of a particularly brutal moment in history in Tasmania, where the massacre of Aboriginals by British colonists intensified during the Black War. Critics and viewers also praised Kent for her unflinching take on things, with writer Michael Ouzas describing The Nightingale as 'essential viewing and an Australian classic' and @jesuevalle admitting on X that while he walked out 'to take myself away from that brutal space', he still recognised The Nightingale as 'an important film' and walked back in to finish watching it. We Live Entertainment's critic Scott Menzel called it a 'haunting and unforgettable masterpiece', while awarding The Nightingale 9.5 stars out of 10 and acknowledging its very dark nature. 'I don't think that any review can mentally, physically, or emotionally prepare you for what Kent has brought to life with this film,' he added. Meanwhile Alex Flood for NME branded it 'the most shocking film of the year' and advised that the film was 'not for the faint-hearted', while Little White Lies' Hannah Strong described it as a 'devastating, uncomfortable watch' while suggesting it needed to be 'exactly the film it is, bubbling with completely justified anger and pain'. The Nightingale holds an impressive 87% score from critics on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, while boasting a decent 73% from the smaller pool of audience members sharing their reactions. 'Genuinely one of the most harrowing pieces of cinema I have ever experienced,' shared Dan L, who said that there 'aren't words for how incredible this film is'. More Trending 'I watched this a few months ago and I still think about it all the time. It's one of those movies that really sticks with you,' wrote Laura M, adding: 'This movie made me WEEP.' Meanwhile, Amanda H said she was 'hooked from start to finish', which Hua M agreed with, chiming in: 'Had me completely riveted/shook from start to finish. Incredible performances all around (but particularly by Aisling), and a nightmarish, visceral experience that I will not soon forget.' 'Although some scenes were hard to watch, I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen,' wrote Maria D. The Nightingale is streaming now on Prime Video in the UK. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: This Wednesday season 2 filming location has a devastating haunted past MORE: Wednesday fans baffled by Lady Gaga's season 2 role as they beg for answers MORE: Another major Neighbours star exits months before show finale
Metro
27 minutes ago
- Metro
Ibiza 'final boss' speaks out after 15 minutes of fame
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The man, the myth, the legend… Jack Kay has officially transcended mere mortal status to become 'Ibiza's Final Boss' this summer. It is unlikely you have not seen the video on TikTok, showing the 26-year-old dancing in the Spanish party capital with the unshakeable confidence of a man entirely unbothered of rhythm. Donning a chunky gold necklace, rocking sunglasses a few shades darker than Berghain and flashing pearly white veneers – and a precise bowl-like haircut – he did not come to steal the show, he was the show. He is the Internet's latest sensation, joining the ranks of meme royalty Salt Bae, Hide the Pain Harold, and Bad Luck Brian. Last night, Jack finally leaned into his new found fame and confirmed his identity on Instagram. He stressed that he was just a 'normal person from Newcastle,' telling his followers: 'Appreciate all the love and messages of everyone. 'I will get back to everyone quick [as] I can. It is just a lot for me to take in at the moment. I am just a normal person from Newcastle. 'It is crazy, stay locked in, got some big news coming.' He went on to share a picture with Tony Truman, the co-owner of Ocean Beach Ibiza nightclub. More Trending Jack has since racked up more than 16,000 followers and has also found himself an agent. Other details have since come to light about his life back in the UK after a woman has now claimed she is his girlfriend. Alisha Cook, 23, shared a series of videos of the 'Ibiza final boss' captioned 'POV ya boyfriends now known as Ibiza final boss'. She is seen cosying up to Jack, including clips of him kissing her cheek and the two of them partying together. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: A&E doctor reveals 7 surprising habits that are an 'absolute no' MORE: Ryanair's Spanish airport strikes could ruin holidays until December — full list of destinations affected MORE: One person dies and hundreds flee after wildfires spread across France and Spain
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Outlander favourite lands huge new role in highly-anticipated romance series
One of Outlander's biggest stars has been cast in a hotly-anticipated romance series alongside actors from The Bear and The White Lotus. Tobias Menzies, who is best known for portraying Jonathan 'Black Jack' Randall in the Starz show Outlander, has joined the cast of a star-studded new series. Menzies, also famed for playing Prince Philip in Netflix's The Crown, is set to star in upcoming Apple TV+ show Prodigies, which will also star The Bear's Ayo Edebiri and The White Lotus star Will Sharpe. Created by Sharpe, the series follows two ex-child prodigies in their early 30s, who are starting to question whether their very ordinary existence is living up to the exceptional potential they once showed in childhood. The ensemble also includes your Honor's Andrene Ward-Hammond, Loki actress Sophia Di Martino, Nabhaan Rizwan from Netflix 's Kaos, Roar star Meera Syal and The Franchise's Lolly Adefope. Fans of Netflix's Black Doves will also be thrilled to know that Prodigies comes from the same series producer, Sister. Meanwhile, Sharpe and Edebiri serve as Executive Producers alongside Jane Featherstone, Naomi de Pear and Katie Carpenter. White Lotus fans will recognise Sharpe from season 2, where he played Ethan opposite Aubrey Plaza's Harper in the HBO show. He also more recently appeared as Felix in Netflix's Too Much, which was created by Girls star Lena Dunham. Meanwhile, Menzies has appeared in some of the biggest shows on television, including Outlander, The Crown and Game of Thrones. He played one of Outlander's most notorious villains for 24 episodes between 2014 and 2018, starring opposite show leads Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. Outlander is returning for its eighth and final season in early 2026, with an exact release date yet to be announced. However, Outlander fans have plenty to look forward to in the meantime, as prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood arrives this weekend on August 8 in the US and August 9 in the UK. The synopsis for the new historical romance series reads: 'This prequel to the Outlander series focuses on the lives and courtship of the parents of Jamie Fraser: Brian Fraser and Ellen Mackenzie as well as Claire Beauchamp's parents, Henry Beauchamp and Julia Moriston.' The series will star Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy as Jamie's parents, while Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine will play Claire's parents. Meanwhile, Rory Alexander will play original show character Murtagh Fitzgibbons and Coronation Street's Sam Retford will play a younger version of Graham McTavish's character Dougal MacKenzie. Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be available to stream on Saturday August 9 on MGM+ via Prime Video for UK fans.
