Jenna Ortega to Take Break from Television After 'Wednesday'
The 'Wednesday' star plans to step away from TV roles to pursue other opportunities after spending years working on various shows.
Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's hit series "Wednesday," announced plans to take a hiatus from television acting following the conclusion of the show. Ortega, 24, stated on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that she has spent "many years doing that" and "bouncing from show to show as a kid," indicating a desire to explore new ventures.
"I think after Wednesday, I'll probably be off the TV for a while," Ortega said. She added that while she hasn't had many franchise conversations, she believes "what I'm meant to do will come and find me."
Ortega has been a prominent figure in television since her childhood, with previous roles including "Jane the Virgin" and Disney's "Stuck in the Middle." She gained global recognition for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams, a role that premiered in November 2022 and has been central to the Emmy-winning series, directed by Tim Burton. The show also features Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams.
"I was bouncing from show to show as a kid, this to this, and I want to leave time for new things," Ortega explained on the podcast. She also reflected on her past as a child actor, admitting she was a perfectionist who would sometimes forgo eating or drinking on set to avoid being a burden.
"Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself," she told Esquire earlier this year. "I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on."
While Ortega has gained significant fame from "Wednesday," she has also been shifting her focus toward film. Her recent movie credits include "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," the sci-fi drama "Klara and the Sun," and the upcoming "The Great Beyond." Her past film work also includes "Iron Man 3," "The Fallout," "X," "Scream," and "Scream VI."
"Wednesday" season three began production in February, with Winona Ryder and Eva Green joining the cast. The production wrapped in September, and it is slated to air in 2017. Netflix has not yet officially renewed the series for a fourth season.
Ortega also shared some of her unique experiences as a celebrity, including encounters with fans who have emulated her "Wednesday" character. She recalled one instance where a flight attendant altered her hairstyle to match Wednesday's braids and bangs after meeting Ortega on a flight.
Ortega mentioned that she always felt a connection to the character of Wednesday Addams, recalling a childhood comment to her mother about wanting to play the role when she was part of a large family. The opportunity eventually arose with the Netflix series.
