The first part of Wednesday Season 2 is set to be released this week, and there are a few surprise faces 

Since its creation in 1964 the Addams Family has lured in audiences with its Halloween-chic sparkle and lovable cast of glamorous misfits. The 2022 interpretation, Wednesday, created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and directed by Tim Burton, saw Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) in the titular role. And suddenly we were in the gothic glamour of Nevermore Academy.   

See the ‘fits on the glam red/purple carpet event here.

A procession of British actors   

Discussions around unexpected casting for Wednesday Season 2 are buzzing, but let’s take a look at the casting history for this high profile series. Because, frankly, it’s never been driven by pop-culture frenzy.

The cast of the first seasons of Wednesday was full to the brim with British actors. Welsh star Catherine Zeta Jones, 55, took on the role of Morticia. We all remember her from her earlier career, including starring in the likes of Zorro and Titanic. Having taken multiple sabbaticals from acting in the last two decades, we wouldn’t necessarily have pegged her as a lead role in Netflix’s ‘next big thing’. But wow, is she perfect for the scary yet seductive role.   

Season one of Wednesday also saw Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie, 46. Unlike Zeta Jones, Christie has typically played characters who are, shall we say… not so glamorous. From warrior Brienne of Tarth in GOT to fully armoured fighter, Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Wednesday saw Christie fully embrace her feminine side as principal Larissa Weems – she puts a refreshing feminine twist on the stern character. What could have easily become a bit ‘Miss Trunchball’ is instead layered and mysterious.   

Season one also saw some lesser-known Brits such as Georgie Farmer playing Ajax Petropolus, and Iman Marson as Lucas Walker. 

Who’s joining for Season 2? 

Now, with the second season launching, the series is doubling down on its British DNA – and the casting news has the potential to be pure gold. 

Okay, so this is exciting. Remember the character Grandmama Hester Frump? Portrayed in previous incarnations by Blossom Rock (1964-66), Carol Cane (1993) and Jackie Hoffman (2010). This is a character who is the embodiment of gothic glamour. This lover of death is being undertaken by the one and only Joanna Lumley, 79. British acting royalty. Famous of course for Absolutely Fabulous amongst a myriad of other successes including Sapphire and Steel, The New Avengers, and loads more. 

Having previously worked with Tim Burton on the 2005 animated film, The Corpse Bride, Lumley was thrilled to get the chance to work with him again. In an interview with Dermot O’Leary and Rochelle Hummes on This Morning, she recounted the phone call with Burton as he offered her the role, saying, “…before he’d even finished the sentence, I said, ‘how much do I need to pay you to do this?’ It’s just divine.” 

Lumley gushed over his attention to detail describing how absolutely everything is done with absolute precision. The tiniest props, like distant croquet wickets, made to look like bones. Everything is considered. 

Lumley isn’t the only new Brit joining the Wednesday cast for Season 2. Doctor Who icon Billie Piper, who has had a varied career – from appearances on cult music show Top of the Pops to the risqué drama Secret Diary of a Call Girl. She recently shocked the nation by appearing in the plot twist ending of Doctor Who… as the Doctor, if that’s to be believed!?  Despite this, Piper is another actress who one wouldn’t necessarily have anticipated seeing in a wacky cultural phenomenon such as Wednesday. Then again, considering Doctor Who’s knack for the weird and wonderful, she might just be a perfect fit. 

What’s striking is how Wednesday sidesteps the usual trend-chasing in casting. These choices feel intentional, curated. Like someone raided the vaults of British screen history and invited only the most intriguing players to join the gothic party. 

The purple carpet premier  

This week saw the Wednesday Season 2 premiere take place in London. It was very Wednesday, from The Hand on the DJ booth, and a purple carpet so rich it felt conjured by Morticia herself. The addictive gothic glamour vibes and attention to detail were evident throughout the event. 

The cast were additionally in keeping. Jenna Ortega wore her Wednesday style makeup. Now that’s a lot of eyeliner. Billie Piper went full goth in the dramatic black dress and Joy Sunday arrived dressed head to toe in a blood red dress with matching tights, shoes and hat.   

That’s not all the news. Just this week Netflix confirmed that Wednesday will be returning for a third season. In fact, it’s already in the works. Question is, who will crawl out of the crypt and into the cast? 

So when and where can you watch it?   

Wednesday Season 2 will be released in two parts, both on Netflix. Part one will come out on 6 August 2025, with the second part releasing on 3 September – both on Wednesdays of course… very clever Netflix.  

Just like the first season, there will be a total of eight episodes in the season, each promising an abundance of deadpan humour and gothic glamour.