Netflix's Wednesday exploded onto screens with a bang, reimagining the iconic Addams Family character for a new generation. However, beneath the glitz and glamour, controversies brewed, creating a storm that gripped headlines.
Let's peel back the curtain and delve into Wednesday's drama that unfolded behind the scenes.
#1.
Jenna Ortega's Scripted Rebellion
Source: Netflix
In March 2023, Jenna Ortega, the magnetic force behind the new
Wednesday Addams, revealed a behind-the-scenes tug-of-war on the "Armchair Expert" podcast. She confessed to rewriting lines on set, challenging the writers on her character's trajectory.
“The script supervisor thought that I was, like, going with something, and then I would have to sit down with the writers and they would be like, ‘Wait, what happened to this scene?’ And I would have to go through and explain why I couldn’t do certain things,” the facmous actress revealed on the “Armchair Expert” podcast at the time.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to put my foot down on a set in the way that I had to on Wednesday.”
Ortega defended her stance, emphasizing the need for her voice to be heard. As an executive producer for Season 2, she echoed her determination to shape Wednesday's narrative, drawing from her past experiences of feeling unheard in the industry.
“When I went into Wednesday, I really put my foot down and made it clear that everything that I had to say mattered and was heard,” she shared during The Hollywood Reporter’s Comedy Actress Roundtable in June 2023. “I’ve had experiences in TV where I felt my voice wasn’t heard, that I was meant to be a puppet. I’ve been told on sets, ‘You wouldn’t know because you’re not a writer,’ or, ‘Just shut up and do your job.’ From 12 years old, I’ve been hearing things like that.”
#2.
Percy Hynes White's Battle Against Allegations
Source: Netflix
Post-Wednesday's triumph, actor Percy Hynes White faced a different kind of spotlight. Accusations of sexual assault surfaced, prompting White to defend himself on Instagram, heightening Wednesday's drama. He decried misinformation campaigns, emphasizing the toll on his family and friends.
“Hey everyone. There’s something I need to clarify. Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxed, and my friends have received death threats,” he shared on Instagram in June 2023.
“Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. The rumors are false.”
The #CancelPercy movement stirred controversy, with White vehemently denying the allegations and urging a halt to the harassment of his loved ones.
#3.
On-Set Struggles During A Pandemic
Source: Netflix
As the world grappled with the pandemic, Wednesday faced its own challenges. Jenna Ortega shed light on filming amid COVID-19, sharing a harrowing experience of working while awaiting test results. The production company, MGM, clarified the situation, asserting adherence to strict protocols and prompt removal of Ortega from set upon a positive test confirmation.
#4.
Emmy Nominations And Viewer Backlash
Source: Netflix
Wednesday's Emmy nominations in July 2023 stirred the pot, with viewers questioning the series' placement in the comedy category. The show secured nods for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, sparking debates about potential snubs. Netflix's promotional push raised eyebrows, leaving audiences pondering the diverse landscape of comedic television.
“It’s crazy because it was my first day with COVID, so it was awful to film,” she told NME in December 2022 about the show’s dance sequence which later went viral. “I never get sick and when I do it’s not very bad — I had the body aches.
I felt like I’d been hit by a car and that a little goblin had been let loose in my throat and was scratching the walls of my oesophagus. They were giving me medicine between takes because we were waiting on the positive result.”
#5.
Danny Elfman's Legal Discord
Source: Netflix
In a shocking turn of events, renowned composer Danny Elfman faced a lawsuit in July 2023, alleging a breach of contract related to a sexual harassment settlement. Elfman vehemently denied the accusations, emphasizing the potential destruction of his prolific career. The legal battle unfolded against the backdrop of accusations by Grammy-nominated pianist Nomi Abadi, with Elfman asserting the falsehood of the claims.
“How do I respond to accusations so serious that being innocent is not a valid defense? It is excruciating to consider that a 50-year career may be destroyed in one news cycle as a result of vicious and wholly false allegations about sexual misconduct,” he said to the outlet. “Ms. Abadi’s allegations are simply not true. I allowed someone to get close to me without knowing that I was her ‘childhood crush’ and that her intention was to break up my marriage and replace my wife.
When this person realized that I wanted distance from her, she made it clear that I would pay for having rejected her. I allowed an ill-advised friendship to have far-reaching consequences, and that error in judgment is entirely my fault. I have done nothing indecent or wrong, and my lawyers stand ready to prove with voluminous evidence that these accusations are false. This is the last I will say on this subject.”
#6.
Jenna Ortega’s Departure From The ‘Scream’ Franchise
Source: Paramount Pictures
November 2023 brought news of Jenna Ortega's departure from the Scream franchise, citing scheduling conflicts with Wednesday Season 2. The shakeup echoed the industry's unpredictability, following Melissa Barrera's exit from Scream VII due to comments about Israel and Palestine. Ortega's balancing act between two major projects added another layer to the intricate web of Hollywood scheduling.
In the realm of
Entertainment, where the spotlight often illuminates only the finished product, the controversies surrounding Wednesday drama offer a fascinating peek behind the scenes. As fans eagerly await the next chapter, the drama off-screen proves that even in the world of shadows, every story has its own twists and turns.