Jenna Ortega has opened up about her admiration for Catherine Zeta Jones, her on-screen mother in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. The young star, who plays Wednesday Addams, revealed just how much Zeta Jones influenced her both as a co-star and as a performer.
The candid conversation came just as part two of the Wednesday series landed on Netflix, sparking renewed excitement among fans of the Addams Family spinoff. Ortega, speaking with Elle Australia, compared her character’s relationship with Morticia Addams to her own teenage experiences.
“A teenage girl butting heads with her mum – it’s a prerequisite,” she explained. “Morticia was kind of like my own mother, always coming from a good place but sometimes getting a bit too close. So there was a little bit that came from personal experience.”
Her remarks struck a chord with fans, who have long praised Ortega for bringing a raw, authentic energy to the character of Wednesday. But it was her praise for Zeta Jones that truly stood out.
“Catherine Zeta-Jones is such an overwhelming and intimate performer; she brings so much out of you,” Ortega gushed. “She makes a scene better not even just because you want to match her level but because you can’t help it, you get lost in her eyes.”
The 21-year-old star credited her co-star with helping elevate Wednesday’s dynamic with Morticia in season two. With Zeta Jones promoted to series regular, Ortega said the pair had far more time to explore the complex mother-daughter relationship.
“I think a big part of the elaboration [of their relationship] was just being able to shoot with Catherine more,” she revealed. “We could flesh out the characters and their dynamic a bit more, and she’s so intelligent and intuitive. We learned a lot from each other.”
Their bond on screen mirrors the chemistry off screen, with Ortega describing Zeta Jones as not only a mentor but also a scene partner who brought depth and weight to every interaction. For Ortega, that level of performance demanded nothing less than her best in return.
Read More: Kate Middleton Stuns Fans With Rare Public Appearance With Prince William Amid Cancer Recovery
Fans will be thrilled to know that the mother-daughter duo isn’t going anywhere. Netflix has already confirmed that Wednesday will return for a season three, and according to Ortega, viewers can expect even more exploration of the Morticia-Wednesday relationship.
Production for the highly anticipated new season is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with an expected release in early 2027. Although the long wait might test fans’ patience, the promise of deeper storylines and expanded character arcs has left many excited.
Showrunner Alfred Gough, who co-created the series with Miles Millar, also reflected on the magic behind Wednesday. Speaking to Tudum, Netflix’s in-house platform, he emphasized the collaborative nature of the show’s success.
“Television has — and always will be — a team sport,” he said. “Miles and I have been doing this long enough to know that shows like this don’t come along every day. It’s such an alchemy of writing, directing, acting, crew, streamer, studio, and fans.”
The acknowledgment underscores how Wednesday has become more than just another Netflix hit. It’s a cultural phenomenon, blending gothic mystery, teen drama, and family tension in a way that resonates globally. Ortega’s rising stardom and Zeta Jones’s Hollywood gravitas have only amplified that impact.
With Ortega’s heartfelt comments making headlines, fans are once again reminded of why she became one of Netflix’s breakout stars. Her vulnerability, paired with her sharp wit as Wednesday Addams, has made her both relatable and iconic to audiences of all ages.
And while the long wait until season three might feel daunting, Ortega’s revelations about her bond with Zeta Jones suggest that the payoff will be worth it. The exploration of Wednesday and Morticia’s evolving relationship promises to add yet another unforgettable layer to an already beloved series.
