Jenna Ortega has some big shoes to fill for many fans of the 1990s movie adaptation of The Addams Family, as she steps into the role of Wednesday Addams for the new Netflix series based on the character. While this seems to be something the young Scream star is more than capable of, having her predecessor Christina Ricci working alongside her in the series was something of a daunting experience.

Wednesday is one of the most anticipated shows coming to Netflix this Fall, and although there were plenty of initial doubters as to whether Jenna Ortega could make the iconic role her own and still please fans of Ricci’s big screen interpretation, those doubts have faded away as more details and footage from the series have emerged. Coming from Tim Burton, the show instantly screams gothic, and that plays into the comically gruesome world of the ooky-kooky family.

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When it comes to playing the role of Wednesday, it seems like the most intimidating part was having to portray the character while acting with Christina Ricci, who stars in the series as a new character. Ortega told Empire Magazine:

“I felt like I was genuinely having a panic attack when I was told. I was terrified. She’s a really cool lady. I was fine meeting her, but the first time we did a scene together, and she had to see me done up the way she was done up 30 years ago, it was nerve-racking.”

Christina Ricci Is One Of Jenna Ortega’s Biggest Fans

     Sony Pictures Television

While Christina Ricci will still be Wednesday Addams for many older fans, the actress has been more than happy to see the mantle passed on to Jenna Ortega, and she is one of the biggest fans with how the young actress has played the character in the new Netflix series. Speaking previously, Ricci said:

Ricci was also thrilled to take on a new role in the series after being asked to be part of the series by Tim Burton. Three decades on from playing Wednesday, she considers it a part of her identity and really just could not refuse the offer to continue being a part of it in some way. She said:

“It’s super fun. I loved working with Tim [Burton]. I worked with Gwendolyn Christie, it was amazing. And Jenna is incredible. I saw some of the wardrobe photos before I went [to set] so I knew [what she looked like in character] and I was like, it’s such a great modern take on Wednesday. It’s so true tonally to the heart and soul of [the original], but then it’s incredibly modern and it’s great.”

Wednesday streams on Netflix from November 23, 2022.

“It’s Tim Burton, I was so honored to be asked by him because he is just, you know, a genius. And then also to be a part to be asked to be a part of the new version of this thing that is a huge part of my identity and my history in my life. I mean, I know they didn’t do it out of the goodness of their hearts, but I was really touched by it, and I felt like it was very nice. And it’s such a fun world, and my character is outrageous and fun and different than anything I’ve done, and it was really great. And I just had a really lovely experience on that with Jenna, who is amazing, and I think now people have a taste of her Wednesday, and it’s gonna be fantastic."