Explosive Revelations Unveiled: Wednesday's Shocking Scandals Unveiled, Including Startling Allegations and Unethical Workplace Practices
Netflix's 'Wednesday' has been entangled in controversies since its debut in November 2022, from cast members' criticism of the show's writing to sexual assault allegations and concerns over working conditions Additionally, the series garnered attention with its Emmy nominations and faced a legal battle involving composer Danny Elfman's sexual harassment settlement lawsuit
When Wednesday premiered on Netflix, it generated a lot of buzz. However, the reception was not entirely positive. In November 2022, fans were introduced to a fresh portrayal of Wednesday Addams played by Jenna Ortega. Throughout the first season, the main character confronted the challenge of honing her psychic abilities at Nevermore Academy, all the while facing a string of murders by an enigmatic creature.
Wednesday Addams rose to fame as a cultural sensation with the release of the Addams Family adaptation in the 1990s. Christina Ricci, known for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in two movies, pleasantly surprised audiences with her appearance in the Netflix version.
After making its debut, the streaming service revealed that the English-language series featuring Wednesday Addams ranked as the second most-watched show.
Wednesday was ultimately renewed for its second season after receiving two Golden Globe nominations, one of which recognized Ortega's outstanding performance as best actress. Additionally, Wednesday garnered several Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series. Nonetheless, behind the scenes, a series of unforeseen scandals and controversial incidents generated significant discussion.
Scroll down for details on the drama behind the hit Netflix series:
Jenna Ortega’s Comments About the Show’s Writing
Ortega made headlines in March 2023 when she asserted that she was deviating from the script while filming Wednesday. During an interview on the "Armchair Expert" podcast, she revealed that the script supervisor mistakenly believed she was improvising and she had to clarify with the writers why she couldn't perform certain actions. According to Ortega, this was the first time she had to assert herself on set to this extent.
She exclaimed, "None of the things she does, none of the roles I had to portray, align with her character in any way. It is completely nonsensical for her to be involved in a love triangle. There is this line about a dress that she is supposed to wear for a school dance, and she says, 'Oh, my God, I love it. Ugh, I can't believe I just said that, I literally despise myself.' And I had to interject with a firm 'No.'"
Ortega, credited as an executive producer for season 2, later defended her decision to spontaneously create dialogue.
“When I entered the realm of Wednesday, I firmly took a stand and expressed the utmost importance of every single word I had to share,” she disclosed during The Hollywood Reporter’s Comedy Actress Roundtable in June 2023. “I have encountered situations in television where my voice seemed to go unheard, as if I were merely a puppet. On various sets, I have been told remarks such as, ‘You lack understanding because you are not a writer,’ or, ‘Just remain silent and perform your duties.’ These kinds of comments have been directed at me since the age of 12.”
Percy Hynes White’s Sexual Assault Allegations
Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
Following Wednesday’s global success, multiple women accused White — who plays Xavier — of sexual assault.
"Hello everyone. I want to address a matter that requires clarification. Earlier this year, an individual whom I have never encountered launched an online campaign spreading false information about me. As a result, my family has been subjected to doxing, and my friends have received death threats," he stated via Instagram in June 2023. "Photographs of me as a minor were exploited, and instances of me portraying characters were maliciously presented as hateful. My dear friend Jane was unfairly depicted as a victim, and her efforts to correct this falsehood have been disregarded. She has kindly given me permission to mention her in this statement. I want to emphasize that these rumors are entirely unfounded."
Furthermore, White strongly criticized the #CancelPercy trend initiated by fans on social media. "I cannot accept being portrayed as someone who holds bigoted views or who neglects the safety of others in any criminal manner. These baseless and harmful accusations only serve to breed suspicion towards genuine victims," he concluded. "It is distressing to comprehend that this dissemination of misinformation has caused distress to people. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has stood beside me and helped disseminate the truth. I implore the harassment of my family, friends, and colleagues to cease. Thank you for taking the time to read this message."
Questions About the Working Conditions on Set
Vlad Cioplea/Netflix © 2022
Ortega revealed shocking details about shooting scenes during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing that she continued working while awaiting her COVID-19 test results.
"In December 2022, during the show's dance sequence, I was filming despite having COVID for the first time," she shared with NME. "It was a terrible experience. I rarely get sick, and when I do, it's usually not severe. However, this time, I had body aches and felt like I had been hit by a car. Additionally, a persistent discomfort in my throat made it feel as if a mischievous goblin was scratching the walls of my oesophagus. To cope, I was receiving medicine in between takes while we awaited the positive test result."
The Show’s Emmy Nominations
The production company responsible for the Netflix show, MGM, released a statement to the media, emphasizing that they adhered to rigorous COVID protocols. They further mentioned that once Jenna's positive test result was confirmed, she was immediately taken off the set of production.
TV fans were left with numerous questions when Netflix positioned Wednesday as a contender for the comedy category at the Emmys. In July 2023, the series received official nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. This caused some viewers to perceive it as a snub towards other shows.
Composer Danny Elfman’s Sexual Harassment Settlement Lawsuit
Elfman faced legal action in July 2023 when he was sued for breach of contract. The lawsuit claimed that he failed to fulfill his obligation to make settlement payments in response to allegations of sexual harassment. According to Rolling Stone, Elfman was accused of sexually harassing Nomi Abadi, a Grammy-nominated pianist, during the years 2015 and 2016.
Elfman, in a statement, denied the allegations and expressed his frustration with the seriousness of the claims. He acknowledged the potential damage to his career caused by false accusations of sexual misconduct. Elfman stated that the allegations made by Ms. Abadi were untrue. He admitted to unknowingly getting close to someone who had romantic feelings for him, but denied any intention to break up his marriage or replace his wife. Elfman claimed that when he distanced himself from this person, she threatened to seek revenge. He took responsibility for the consequences of his misguided friendship and admitted his judgment error. Elfman asserted that he had not engaged in any indecent or wrongful behavior and expressed his readiness to provide extensive evidence to disprove the allegations through his legal team. Lastly, he declared that this would be his final statement on the matter.
