The Updated Wednesday Cast: 10 Shocking New Stars And Major Exits Confirmed For Season 2

The Nevermore Academy roster is getting a major shake-up, and the confirmed cast for *Wednesday* Season 2 is packed with shocking new additions and significant departures. As of this current date in December 2025, Netflix has officially confirmed the full ensemble, revealing that the second season will introduce several Hollywood legends and beloved Tim Burton collaborators, while fan-favorite characters from Season 1 will not be returning. The casting news, which dropped as filming kicked off, signals a major tonal shift and expansion of the Addams family world, promising a deeper dive into the gothic and mysterious elements that made the first season a global phenomenon. The highly anticipated second season is set to be released in two parts: Part 1 will debut on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 will follow shortly after on September 3, 2025, ensuring fans get a double dose of the macabre teen detective. The return of Jenna Ortega as the titular Wednesday Addams is the centerpiece, but the addition of massive star power, including a major music icon in a cameo role, has set the internet ablaze. This comprehensive guide breaks down every returning star, the shocking new faces, and the confirmed exits from the *Wednesday* Season 2 cast.

Jenna Ortega: Biography and The Face of a Generation

Jenna Ortega has become a cultural icon thanks to her portrayal of Wednesday Addams, solidifying her status as "Gen Z's scream queen" due to her extensive work in the horror genre.

• Full Name: Jenna Marie Ortega
• Born: September 27, 2002
• Birthplace: Coachella Valley, California, U.S.
• Heritage: Mexican and Puerto Rican
• Career Start: Began acting at age 9, initially gaining recognition for her role in the Disney Channel series *Stuck in the Middle*.
• Breakout Role: Playing the younger version of Jane in *Jane the Virgin*.
• Horror Filmography: Known for her roles in the *Scream* franchise (as Tara Carpenter), *X*, and *The Babysitter: Killer Queen*.
• Wednesday Impact: Her performance in *Wednesday* earned her a Golden Globe nomination and cemented her reputation for delivering a nuanced, stoic, and darkly humorous lead performance.

The Shocking New Faces Joining Nevermore Academy

The biggest news surrounding *Wednesday* Season 2 is the incredible roster of new talent. These additions suggest the series is expanding its scope beyond the initial Nevermore mystery, bringing in veteran actors known for their distinctive and often quirky roles, a perfect fit for the world of Tim Burton.

Steve Buscemi as Principal Barry Dort

One of the most talked-about new cast members is the legendary actor Steve Buscemi. He is set to take on a major role as Principal Barry Dort, the new head of Nevermore Academy. Following the events of Season 1, the position of Nevermore's principal is vacant, and Buscemi's casting promises a unique and likely eccentric new authority figure to clash with Wednesday Addams.

Joanna Lumley as Grandma

British TV icon Joanna Lumley is joining the Addams family itself! She has been cast as Grandma, adding another layer of macabre family history to the show. Her presence suggests that the Addams family dynamics—which already include Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley—will be explored more deeply, possibly with a focus on Wednesday's lineage and psychic abilities.

Major New Series Regulars and Guest Stars

The list of new regulars and guest stars is extensive, pointing to a much larger cast and more complex storylines for the upcoming season.

• Billie Piper: Known for *Doctor Who* and *Secret Diary of a Call Girl*, Piper is joining the cast in an undisclosed role that is expected to be a series regular.
• Evie Templeton: A rising young star, Templeton is confirmed as a new regular, though her character details remain a mystery.
• Owen Painter: Confirmed as a new regular, Painter's character is expected to be another Nevermore student or a key figure in the season's central mystery.
• Noah Taylor: A veteran actor with a long filmography, Taylor is another exciting addition to the regular cast.

The Shocking Cameo: Lady Gaga

In a massive announcement made at a Netflix event, it was confirmed that global superstar Lady Gaga will appear in *Wednesday* Season 2 Part 2. While her exact role is being kept under wraps, the casting has sent waves through both the music and television industries, suggesting a high-profile guest appearance that will undoubtedly be a major talking point.

Returning Cast and Confirmed Exits: The Nevermore Core

While the new additions are exciting, the core cast that made Season 1 a success is largely returning, ensuring the beloved character dynamics, especially the "ships" and friendships, will continue to evolve.

The Returning Core Cast

The following actors and characters are confirmed to be returning as series regulars for *Wednesday* Season 2:

• Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams
• Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair (Wednesday's colorful, werewolf roommate)
• Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams (Wednesday's mother)
• Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams (Wednesday's father)
• Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams (Wednesday's brother)
• Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester (The eccentric Addams family member)
• Moosa Mostafa as Eugene Ottinger (The bee-loving Nevermore student and Wednesday's ally)
• Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay (The siren and Nevermore 'Queen Bee')
• Victor Dorobantu as Thing (The disembodied hand)

The return of Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair is particularly anticipated, as the dynamic between Wednesday and Enid—often dubbed "Wenclair" by fans—was a highlight of the first season. Their contrasting personalities provide a central emotional anchor for the series, and their friendship is expected to deepen in Season 2.

Confirmed Cast Exits: Who Won't Be Back

In a move that has caused some controversy among fans, two significant characters from Season 1 have been confirmed as exiting the series.

• Percy Hynes White (Xavier Thorpe): The telepathic student at Nevermore who had a prominent role as one of Wednesday's potential love interests will not be returning for Season 2.
• Naomi J Ogawa (Yoko Tanaka): The vampire student and Enid's friend, Yoko Tanaka, is also confirmed to be exiting the new season.

The departure of Xavier Thorpe is the most impactful, as it removes one of the key elements of the Season 1 love triangle. This shake-up aligns with Jenna Ortega's previous comments about wanting to steer the show away from romantic storylines and focus more on the horror and mystery elements. The exits confirm a dramatic shift in the cast structure, prioritizing the Addams family and the broader Nevermore faculty over the initial group of student peers.

The Direction of Wednesday Season 2: Horror and Mystery

The new cast announcements, particularly the addition of Steve Buscemi and the removal of the main love interest, strongly suggest that *Wednesday* Season 2 will lean heavily into the gothic horror and mystery genres, echoing the dark vision of executive producer Tim Burton. The increase in the Addams family presence, with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, and now Joanna Lumley all confirmed to return as regulars, indicates that the show will explore the family's ancient secrets and their connection to the Nevermore Academy's history. The split release date in August and September 2025 creates a unique viewing event, allowing Netflix to sustain buzz over a longer period. Fans can expect a more mature, darker narrative that focuses on Wednesday’s psychic investigations and her complex relationships with her family and her best friend, Enid Sinclair. The new characters will likely introduce fresh conflicts and mysteries, ensuring that the second chapter of Wednesday Addams' story is just as captivating and macabre as the first.