Jenna Ortega is the latest actress to take on the role of Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s new series, but she is far from the first to bring the goth icon to life. The character, recognizable for her jet-black pigtails and signature death stare, has appeared in adaptations since Charles Addams first drew her in the 1930s. The Netflix show, created by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough with Tim Burton as executive producer, presents a new take on the macabre teenager. With such a long history behind the character, comparisons between Ortega and the actresses who came before her are inevitable.
Lisa Loring was the first actress to play Wednesday in the original 1964 television series. At just six years old, she became the youngest performer to take on the role. Her deadpan delivery and stoic demeanor set the foundation for the character, and her love for unusual pets like a black widow spider and a lizard named Lucifer became defining traits that later versions kept. Nicole Fugere played Wednesday in the 1998 series The New Addams Family and also appeared in the 1998 film Addams Family Reunion.
She was the only cast member to appear in both productions. At 12 years old, Fugere brought a more prominent and violent edge to the character, nailing her monotonous tone and dark glare. Her performance balanced Wednesday’s wickedness with a touch of vulnerability, making her a fan favorite. Cindy Henderson voiced Wednesday in the 1973 animated series, which followed the family on wacky adventures in a Victorian house-style RV.
This version was notably different from the dark and brooding character fans had come to expect. Henderson’s Wednesday wore a pink dress and had a cheerful disposition, a far cry from the delightfully devilish daughter seen elsewhere. Despite that, the animated series remains a nostalgic favorite for many. Christina Ricci’s portrayal in the 1990s films The Addams Family and Addams Family Values is widely considered one of the most iconic versions of the character.
Her take elevated Wednesday’s gloomy nature to new levels. In the first film, she found twisted ways to torture her brother Pugsley. In the sequel, her darker side went even further, including a scene where she drops her baby brother from a rooftop before he is saved by Gomez. Ricci brought depth and complexity to Wednesday, making audiences care about her despite her wicked tendencies.
Debbie Derryberry voiced Wednesday in the 1992–1993 animated series, which toned down the character’s darker side for younger viewers. Instead of the usual scowl, this Wednesday was often seen smiling, and her darker thoughts were kept hidden. The performance only hinted at the character’s sardonic wit, leaving room for the audience’s imagination. Chloë Grace Moretz voiced Wednesday in the 2019 animated film The Addams Family and its 2021 sequel.
Her version brought the character into the modern age with a more complex and relatable personality. Wednesday remains headstrong, but this adaptation shows her questioning her place in the world and considering who she wants to be, especially when it comes to school. The film explores her coming-of-age journey as she experiments with new perspectives and even color before ultimately choosing to stay true to herself. Jenna Ortega’s performance in the Netflix series Wednesday gives her the most room to develop the character.
The show is set at Nevermore Academy, a school for misfits, which provides a fitting backdrop for the mix of magic, mystery, and dark humor. Ortega balances Wednesday’s trademark wit and sociopathic tendencies while still making her endearing to the audience. With Burton overseeing the series, Ortega has proven herself capable of carrying the legacy of the goth icon forward.
While Ricci embodied Wednesday in her early years and Moretz depicted her coming of age, it is Ortega who now carries the torch for future iterations of the character.