THE GLAMOUR OF GLOOM: ‘WEDNESDAY’ SEASON TWO PROMISES FASHION’S DARKEST FANTASY
In the kaleidoscope of streaming sensations that defined our cultural zeitgeist, few have captivated the collective imagination quite like Netflix’s “Wednesday.” The gothic coming-of-age tale, which shattered viewing records to become the platform’s most-watched series in history, is poised for a triumphant return that fashion and culture cognoscenti have been breathlessly anticipating. With the release of the season two trailer, our fascination with this delightfully disturbing universe is once again piqued.
The streamer has revealed an intriguing release strategy, presenting the sophomore season as a tantalizing two-course meal—the first installment arriving on August 6th with the denouement following on September 3rd. This calculated approach mirrors the show’s ethos of prolonged anticipation; as Wednesday herself dryly observes in the trailer, “The wait has been torture. Which just so happens to be her favorite thing.”
Jenna Ortega, whose sartorial influence off-screen has been as profound as her portrayal of the iconic Addams daughter, returns with her signature deadpan delivery and darkly sophisticated presence. “Wednesday Addams is one of the coolest characters of all time,” Ortega remarked at the trailer launch, her appreciation for the role evident. “So to have gotten the opportunity to play her once was incredible, and then to be able to slip into the costume and tone again, it’s so much fun.”
The visual feast that is the trailer begins with a scene that encapsulates Wednesday’s unique charm—as she passes through security, she casually unloads a veritable arsenal of menacing accessories, including a knuckle duster, cattle prod, assorted knives, and her faithful companion Thing, before being questioned about something truly suspicious: sunscreen.
Fashion aficionados will be delighted by the addition of style icon Joanna Lumley to the cast as Hester Frump, Wednesday’s grandmother and kindred spirit. “The first day on set when Joanna walked on, she just was Hester and she nailed every single line, and it’s just so delicious,” enthused creator Miles Millar. Lumley herself described the Nevermore atmosphere as “intoxicating,” adding with characteristic flair, “I get to wear many, many huge wigs, one on top of the other—and lots of quite constraining clothes, so I love it.”
The inimitable Steve Buscemi joins the ensemble as Principal Dort, a character he cryptically describes as “a bit of a mysterious figure,” teasing that “something about him is not right, but he loves the school and he has real outcast pride.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones reprises her role as the enigmatic matriarch Morticia, alongside Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, completing the familial tableau that provides the dark soil from which Wednesday’s adventures grow. In one particularly evocative scene, Wednesday hosts a macabre tea party for an assembly of dolls—an aesthetic tableau that is certain to inspire alternative entertaining this autumn.
The whispers of Lady Gaga joining the cast have reached fever pitch, with fans meticulously analyzing the trailer for clues. A reference to “mayhem” seems particularly telling, given the superstar’s recent album of the same name.
Ortega’s star has continued its meteoric rise since the first season, with appearances in cultural phenomena like “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Death of a Unicorn,” and “Scream XI,” cementing her status as both a fashion muse and cinematic force.
As Wednesday ominously intones, “Wherever there’s murder and mayhem, you will always find an Addams.” And wherever there’s Wednesday, fashion’s dark romantics will surely follow, notebooks in hand, ready to dissect every stitch of her morosely magnificent wardrobe.
