Buzz
In 1938, cartoonist Charles Addams (1912–1988) introduced the iconic Addams family. Originally depicted in standalone, unconnected cartoons, Addams never assigned names or detailed backstories to the characters. It was only with the debut of the 1964 TV series that these strange characters took on the identities and quirks we recognize today.
The original 'The Addams Family' TV show aired for two seasons (1964–1966) with 64 episodes, each running thirty minutes. Lisa Loring portrayed Wednesday, a precocious six-year-old with a fondness for raising spiders. While she was the odd one out in her otherwise bizarre family, her character evolved over time. In the 1991 film, Christina Ricci portrayed a more brooding and rebellious pre-teen version. The Netflix 2022 series sees Jenna Ortega as a similarly dark, older Wednesday, but with the signature black pigtails intact.
In the Netflix series 'Wednesday,' our heroine is expelled from her school for releasing piranhas into the pool during a water polo practice—though it wasn't out of sheer malice. Wednesday was protecting her brother, Pugsley, from bullying. While dark and unconventional, she's not evil. Sent to Nevermore Academy—a school with a deep history with the Addams family—she must navigate the quirky staff, students, and local mysteries, all while solving a murder or two. In essence, 'Wednesday' is the journey of a young girl seeking to understand her place in the world.
Filmed in Romania, the land of Dracula, the series makes full use of the country's many eerie locations, with Nevermore Academy being the most notable. The show also features numerous nods to the Addams family's past, as well as other pop culture references. A major part of the fun lies in spotting these hidden gems.
10. Finger Snapping Fun
The iconic theme song of the original 'Addams Family' begins with the unforgettable lines:
“They’re creepy, and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky…”
It also features the cast engaging in a distinctive finger-snap dance. Carolyn Jones, who portrayed Morticia, struggles to maintain a straight face as the camera zooms in on her double snap.
In the new 'Wednesday' series, Nevermore Academy is home to a secret society, and to enter their library, one must solve a cryptic riddle:
- “The opposite of the moon. (Sun).
A realm between ours. (Nether).
Two months before June. (April).
A self-propagating flower. (Pansy).
One more than one. (Two).
Its branches hang low. (Willow).
It dissolves in warmth. (Ice).
Its beginning and end are impossible to pinpoint. (Circle).
Every rule has one. (Exception).”
If you take the first letter of each answer, you’ll reveal the secret message—snap twice. Despite her disdain for the secret society, Wednesday still follows the riddle and clicks her fingers. The snap is a tribute to the iconic 1964 theme song.
9. Pesky Pilgrims
In the 1993 film 'Addams Family Values,' Christina Ricci’s Wednesday takes over a Thanksgiving play at Camp Chippewa, creating chaos as she and her companions disrupt the script and start a rebellion against the colonists.
In 'Wednesday,' the pilgrims make an appearance once more. This time, the students of Nevermore Academy visit Pilgrims World, a theme park in a nearby town. Wednesday is tasked with handing out fudge to guests and doesn’t hold back in expressing her disdain for what she sees as a “pathetic whitewashing of American history,” or in simpler terms, a fudge.
Wednesday’s clear disdain for pilgrims stems from their role in persecuting her ancestor, Goody Addams, long ago. This uncovers a darker aspect of the Addams family, challenging the conventional notion of the American Dream. Typically, the show takes a subtle satirical approach, but in the Pilgrims’ episode, it strikes a much more direct tone.
8. Take a Bow
In this scene, Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday shines with her archery skills. This mirrors Christina Ricci’s portrayal in the 1991 film 'The Addams Family,' where Wednesday enjoys shooting arrows at her brother, Pugsley. Pugsley isn’t quite as skilled, as seen in 'Addams Family Values,' where he accidentally kills an American bald eagle.
Ortega didn’t stop with archery. To embody Wednesday, she also took on boxing, fencing, German, and playing the cello. She approaches everything with remarkable poise and competence, and Ortega matched that level of skill.
Tim Burton, the executive producer and director of four episodes, is known for pushing his actors to their limits. His team has delivered stellar performances in modern classics like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' and 'Edward Scissorhands.' Burton, a fan of Gothic horror, infuses his work with a touch of dark humor. 'Wednesday' must have been a particularly enjoyable project for him.
7. Scouting for Girls
In 'Wednesday,' Jenna Ortega quips that she could eat a Girl Scout for breakfast. This is a nod to a scene in the 1991 film 'The Addams Family.'
In this scene, Wednesday and Pugsley are begrudgingly running a lemonade stand, surrounded by flasks of bubbling potions. A prim and proper Girl Scout approaches and insists that she'll only purchase lemonade if it’s made from organically grown lemons—no artificial ingredients for her. She further demands that Wednesday and Pugsley buy a Girl Scout cookie if they wish to make a sale.
Without missing a beat, Wednesday, ever deadpan, asks if the cookies are made from real Girl Scouts.
6. Ricci Returns
In an unmistakable tribute to the past, 'Wednesday' creators Alfred Gough and Miles Milar were keen to include Christina Ricci in some capacity. Given that Ricci had so firmly defined the character, this could have led to some awkwardness. Would Jenna Ortega feel uncomfortable with Ricci’s presence on the new series? Thankfully, there was none of that. Naturally, interviewers were eager to know what Ricci thought of Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday. She was, and continues to be, effusive in her praise.
It’s fitting that Ricci plays the role of Ms. Thornhill, one of Wednesday’s teachers at Nevermore Academy. In 'Wednesday,' Ms. Thornhill is a ‘norm’ who teaches botany and takes on the role of 'dorm mum.'
Much like Wednesday, Ricci has always been a bit of a nonconformist. Though she’s appeared in several major box-office hits and has earned a Golden Globe nomination as well as two Emmy nominations, Ricci prefers the freedom of independent films.
5. Woe to Poe
Charles Addams may have created the Addams family, but the eerie, Gothic tone that defines their world is directly inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Wednesday acknowledges this influence through the Poe Cup Race.
The race is an intense contest between the four cliques at Nevermore Academy. The vampires row 'The Pit and the Pendulum,' the sirens handle 'The Gold Bug,' the werewolves compete in 'The Black Cat,' and the gorgons take on 'The Cask of Amontillado.' These names are drawn from Edgar Allan Poe’s most renowned stories across various genres, with each crew's costumes and personalities reflecting the themes of their respective tales.
Poe’s stories are rarely known for their humor, which is one notable distinction between Wednesday’s world and the darker, more somber tales of Poe.
4. It’s You, Isn’t It?
Though Cousin Itt doesn’t make an appearance in 'Wednesday,' he was an iconic figure in the original 'The Addams Family' series. It’s only right that the character is acknowledged in the new production, and indeed, he is.
In a hidden meeting place of the Nightshades, Wednesday and Uncle Fester come across a portrait that appears to be nothing but a mess of hair. Fester explains that this is a likeness of Ignatius Itt, who once had an affair with Wednesday’s aunt Ophelia. Itt was also a former student of Nevermore Academy.
3. Nevermore
Nevermore Academy is based on a real location—filming took place at Cantacuzino Castle in Romania. But does the setting of Nevermore remind you of another well-known fictional school? Perhaps Hogwarts from 'Harry Potter'? There are clear similarities between Nevermore and Hogwarts, with Nevermore clearly drawing inspiration from Harry’s school. This isn’t an attempt to disguise it; it’s more of a tribute.
Nevermore Academy is filled with references to the Addams family's backstory. One example is the portrait of Cousin Itt, along with a nod to Morticia’s iconic wicker chair and Wednesday’s house, Ophelia, named after her aunt.
The academy even has its own website (nevermoreacademy.com), which informs us:
"Founded in 1791, Nevermore Academy is an academic institution dedicated to nurturing outcasts, freaks, and monsters. Our mission is to guide each student in mastering their extraordinary abilities through exceptional academics and one-of-a-kind extracurricular activities."
Edgar Allan Poe, Cousin Itt, and Morticia are among the prestigious alumni of Nevermore Academy.
If you find yourself in Romania, a visit to Cantacuzino Castle is highly recommended. Built in 1911, the castle opened to the public in 2010.
2. The Monochrome Look
One noticeable difference between Wednesday and her fellow students at Nevermore Academy is her distinctive school uniform. While all the other students sport uniforms reflecting the school's colors, Wednesday opts for a black-and-white ensemble—black being her color of choice, of course.
When Ajax, a gorgon at Nevermore, spots Wednesday, he remarks, 'Wow, you’re in black and white!'
The 1964 series was shot entirely in black and white.
1. Make Your Move
In episode 4 of Wednesday, the students gather at the school's Rave'N event, where Jenna Ortega unveils a highly original dance routine. The actress choreographed the entire performance herself, showcasing her incredible talent. She drew inspiration from Lisa Loring's attempt to teach Lurch to dance in the original series, and while similarities are evident, Ortega takes the routine to new heights.
At the dance, everyone else is dressed in white, moving without much enthusiasm or flair. In stark contrast, Wednesday, as expressionless as ever, dons black. Her bewildered partner seems out of place in the setting.
This particular scene has become a beloved moment among fans of the show.
