Jenna Ortega had big patent leather shoes to fill when she took on the titular role on Netflix Addams family spinoff, Wednesday.
Not only did the actress take on an iconic character — most famously played by Christina Ricci in 1991’s The Addams family—but her predecessor was on set for all eight episodes of the black comedy (albeit in a different, “normal” role).
While Ricci’s presence on set made Ortega a little nervous at first, the rising star told Screen Rant that she finally found a way to pay respects to Ricci’s beloved Wednesday while also bringing her own personal touches to the character.
“I thought the script was very reminiscent of her Wednesday, and audiences already know and love Wednesday. [so] I don’t think I could have strayed too far with the character. Otherwise it would have been embarrassing or insulting or something like that.” Ortega, 20, said in an interview ahead of the series’ Nov. 23 release.
The young actress, who previously expressed fears of ‘doing’ [Wednesday] justice,” said that while Ricci’s adaptation was great, she hopes the subtle changes she made for her socially awkward, murder-solving Wednesday will resonate with audiences.
“I really love [Ricci’s] iteration and that idea for Wednesday, but then [I was] adding a little different qualities and mannerisms or reactions that push the character throughout the season.
Ortega on sharing a set with ‘Iconic’ Wednesday Ricci: ‘We never talked about the character’
Ortega, who recently rose to fame as a scream queen in slashers like X and screamalso shared that despite getting along “really well” with Ricci, the two Wednesdays never really talked about the character — keeping Ortega her iteration of the teen terror unique.
“It sure was weird. I remember them telling me [Christina would be on set], I think my heart just fell out of sheer panic. But luckily she’s a really cool lady, and we got along really well,” the actress recalled, sharing that once the panic subsided, the two talked about everything. but their shared character.
“We never talked about the character. I just got to know her, and it was really fun and really great. But it’s kind of weird.”
From director Tim Burton and starring Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán, Wednesday is now available to stream on Netflix.