'I cried when I heard the news': Wednesday star Jenna Ortega breaks silence on lost role

Jenna Ortega, an actress gaining recognition for her versatile roles, has recently made waves with her performance in Netflix's "Wednesday." Portraying the iconic character Wednesday Addams, Ortega brought a contemporary twist to the beloved character while preserving her dark and macabre essence. Her portrayal captured the imagination of viewers, drawing them into the enchanting world of the Addams family, where all things spooky take center stage.

What makes Ortega's performance noteworthy is her ability to strike a balance between Wednesday's gloomy demeanor and a strong sense of rebellion and independence. Her chemistry with the cast, including Emma Myers, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Luis Guzmán, among others, contributed to the show's undeniable success. Ortega's rendition of Wednesday Addams breathed new life into the character, leaving a lasting impression on fans who eagerly followed the peculiar adventures of the Addams family in the series.

Ortega's exceptional portrayal in "Wednesday" has propelled her to icon status and opened doors to exciting opportunities. Before her role as Wednesday, she ventured into the Scream franchise with appearances in "Scream V" and "Scream VI." Her journey continues as she reprises her role as Tara Carpenter in "Scream 7."


In addition to her collaboration with Tim Burton in "Wednesday," Ortega is set to play Lydia's daughter in Warner Bros' sequel to "Beetlejuice," expected to hit theaters in 2024. However, ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes may have a say in the film's release.

Ortega's path to stardom hasn't been without its challenges. She began her entertainment career with commercials and minor roles, eventually landing a breakthrough opportunity on Disney Channel as Harley Diaz in "Stuck in the Middle" (2016-2018).

"I was up for a role in a family adventure comedy, with two young actors who are huge stars. (…) I did a reading with the main actor, the chemistry seemed to be there. Despite everything, in the end, it didn’t happen. How I cried when I heard the news!… When I heard the news, I thought, there you go, another door slammed in my face.”

Despite a promising chemistry, the opportunity slipped away, leaving her disheartened. Yet, this setback led her to explore other roles in Hollywood, many of which have now become synonymous with her name.

“I knew I could play more adult and serious roles when I was ready, and in fact I didn’t have to wait very long for the opportunity to present itself. (…) it is God who decides the right time,” Ortega said. “….I know you just have to take risks and see what happens.”