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'Wednesday' Season 2 Part 1 Review: Nevermore Academy and Wednesday Addams continue to be a Deranged Delight

Jenna Ortega in Wednesday Season 2 - Part 1 (2025)
📷 Jenna Ortega in Wednesday Season 2 - Part 1 (2025)
By Shauna Bushe - August 8, 2025

The long-awaited follow-up to Tim Burtons creepy smash hit Wednesday returns to Netflix with the first four episodes of its second season. The Addams Family spinoff pursues higher stakes, foresees twists of fate and awakens the dead.  

 

What is Wednesday Season Two about? 

Jenna Ortega returns as Wednesday Addams, although this time, she can’t use the shadows to hide in anymore. After defeating the demon pilgrim and ending Tyler’s murderous rampage as his alter ego The Hyde in season one, Wednesday is hailed the hero of Nevermore whether she likes it or not – and trust us, she hates it. Things take a more sinister turn when Wednesday sees a psychic vision of Enid’s future death, just as her connection to her ability starts to sever. Through impossible odds Wednesday is determined to save her best-friend and will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery before its too late.



The first season was a slow burn. Every episode edging you closer to a reveal whilst also feeding you false narratives, as if playing cat and mouse with its audiences. However, in season two we are thrown straight into the horrors. Stalkers, scary near-death experiences and intense reunions with past monster ex-boyfriends. A consistent, compelling mystery sticks to the atmosphere. The design work is admirably gothic, and Wednesday and Enid’s charming-opposites-attract friendship is still as energetic as ever. Jenna Ortega and Emma Myers are easy to root for, making it effortless to love their character dynamic.


The rest of the cast deserve just as much praise. Specifically, the Addams family. With a much more integral appearance this season it is such a joy having them altogether. Morticia Addams (Catherin Zeta Jones) and Wednesday’s relationship is expanded on. Fred Armisen (Uncle Fester) makes a return and is even more delightfully bizarre and Pugsley Addams (Isaac Ordonez) learns to tune into his power, as he follows his sisters’ footsteps to Nevermore. Besides the Addams Family appearing regularly, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi) is introduced as the brand-new Headmaster, replacing Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie) from season one. His character appears not as he seems, as if there’s something sinister at play. His character appears not as he seems, as if there’s something sinister at play. He is keen to keep Morticia and Gomez Addams on campus, much to Wednesday’s dismay, it gives these characters a lot more time in the spotlight. Other notable additions to the cast are Thandie Newton as Dr Fairburn, Billie Piper as Capri, Joanna Lumley as Grandmama and Heather Matarazzo as Judi Spannegel.


Wednesday Season 2 - Part 1 (2025)
📷 Wednesday Season 2 - Part 1 (2025)

The first four episodes are solely about solving puzzles. Although when Wednesday loses her connection to her ability, the cause-and-effect tremors through her surrounding relationships and makes her question herself. Each episode is roughly one hour long and filled with beguiling mischief. For example, Pugsley and his new friend Eugen (Moosa Mostafa) bite off more than they can chew when Pugsley inadvertently raises a zombie from the dead: its very Frankenstein meets Return of the Living Dead. There's a trip to a camp that turns into an all bets are off competition between Normies and Outcasts and a red-haired invisible girl develops a precarious obsession over Wednesday.


What more can we expect from 'Wednesday' Season 2 part 1?  

Stepping away from the elements that make this show funny, it explores deep emotional changes such as Enid’s wolfing out, leading to a messy break-up with Ajax, Donovan Galpin abuses the bottle to help adjust to life with his monster son in lock-up and Bianca’s vulnerability as she supports her mother in hiding. It’s a lot of sub plotting but every bit of story is fleshed out with feeling and gives our fantastic cast plenty of time to shine.


Is 'Wednesday' Season Two part 1 worth watching?

Popular shows often tend to lose their momentum during a second season, resulting in less attention to detail or relying on gimmicks. However, so far, Wednesday season two is every bit as fun and engaging and as treacherous as the first. Jenna Ortega slips back into her notorious deadpan charm, offering devilish wit with her sharp tongue and remains the perfect Wednesday Addams. You can clearly see the care, and love from everyone involved, from the writer’s room to the passionate cast.


Wednesday Season Two part one is now streaming on Netflix with its first four episodes – part two arrives September 3 only on Netflix.

Rating

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