Jenna Ortega Is Producing Wednesday Season 2 — And Steve Buscemi Is the New Principal at Nevermore

Netflix just dropped the biggest bombshells ahead of Wednesday Season 2 — and we finally have real answers, new cast confirmations, and a much darker tone promised for the return to Nevermore Academy.

With the premiere happening this week and interviews flying, two things became crystal clear: Jenna Ortega has taken full creative control behind the scenes, and Steve Buscemi has officially joined the show as Nevermore's new principal.

Jenna Ortega Steps Into Power Behind the Camera

While she still leads the series as Wednesday Addams, Jenna Ortega is now a credited producer on Season 2. And she’s not just playing dress-up behind the scenes — she's already made real changes.

Ortega confirmed she pushed to remove the love triangle from Season 1, calling it out of character and too focused on teen drama. In her words, Wednesday "would never be caught up in that."

The creative team backed her vision. Co-creator Alfred Gough praised Ortega’s input, saying it helped steer Season 2 into sharper, more grounded storytelling.

“Jenna had a clear vision for where she wanted Wednesday to go. She brought intensity and insight that made the scripts stronger.”

According to Ortega, fans can expect more horror, a deeper emotional arc, and a season that leans into mystery and psychological tension over light teen comedy.

More context from her recent producer comments can be found via Cinemablend and Harper's Bazaar.

Steve Buscemi Joins as the New Principal

Boardwalk Empire and Fargo legend Steve Buscemi is joining the cast in a major new role — stepping in as the new principal of Nevermore Academy following the death of Larissa Weems (played by Gwendoline Christie in Season 1).

His character is described as "charming but suspicious," with a possible link to the new mystery storyline involving psychic visions, cult behavior, and a dark legacy inside the school.

Early coverage of his casting and character setup is highlighted in The Scotsman and TechRadar.

The Buscemi casting has fans buzzing, and for good reason. His offbeat style and intensity feel like a perfect match for the Wednesday world.

Season 2 Release Dates Confirmed

Netflix is splitting Season 2 into two parts:

• Part 1 drops August 6, 2025

• Part 2 follows on September 3, 2025

Both fall on Wednesdays, naturally.

This split-release strategy allows for more buildup and keeps buzz rolling across August and September.

More on the scheduling approach and marketing structure can be found via Netflix Tudum.

New Cast Additions and What to Expect

Season 2 isn’t just darker in tone — it’s stacked with new talent:

• Lady Gaga appears in Part 2 as Nevermore teacher Rosaline Rotwood

• Joanna Lumley joins as Grandmama Addams

• Steve Buscemi takes over as principal

• Thandiwe Newton and Billie Piper are playing new faculty members

The story will explore cult conspiracies, a new psychic serial killer, and Wednesday having terrifying visions of Enid's death — prompting her to take drastic action.

This is not the quirky teen goth show anymore. It's leaning fully into gothic horror and high-stakes mystery.

Industry Outlook

With Ortega gaining producing power and a cast packed with prestige actors, Wednesday Season 2 is positioned as one of Netflix's most high-profile fall launches.

The shift toward darker storytelling, new leadership within the school, and celebrity casting (especially Lady Gaga and Steve Buscemi) signals an evolution for the series.

Netflix's strategy of a split release also reflects confidence in the show’s ability to hold buzz across multiple weeks — and keep audiences coming back.

For more background on Ortega's creative direction and on-set changes, check out the full coverage from Bustle, People, and The Game of Nerds.

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