'Wednesday' Season 2 Adds 12 Fresh Faces, Percy Hynes White Departs Amid Controversy

Wednesday Season 2 Features Several Cast Exits Including Percy Hynes White

Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nayo, Joy Sunday, Owen Painter, Emma Myers, Billie Piper, Jenna Ortega, Evie Templeton, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alfred Gough, Noah Taylor, Miles Millar, Tim Burton, Steve Buscemi, Moosa Mostafa, Hunter Doohan were spotted on the set of ‘Wednesday’ season 2. Helen Sloan/Netflix.

Production for season 2 of Wednesday has begun, and there have been some changes in the cast.

Netflix shared a picture on social media on May 7, showing the season 2 cast. The photo included both familiar faces and new additions. The streaming service also announced the returning and guest cast members, but some names were notably absent.

Notably, Percy Hynes White and Naomi J. Ogawa will not be returning as series regulars. Jamie McShane, who was a series regular in the first season, has now been moved to a guest star status. On the other hand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo have all been promoted to series regulars.

In addition, Wednesday has added new series regulars such as Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, and Noah Taylor. Among the guest stars are Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Joonas Suotamo. (It is worth mentioning that Lloyd played Uncle Fester in the '90s movies Addams Family and Addams Family Values.)

The popular series debuted in November 2022, bringing back fans with a fresh take on Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega. The first season focused on Wednesday's journey to control her psychic abilities at Nevermore Academy, all while facing a deadly rampage by a mysterious creature.

Wednesday Season 2 Features Several Cast Exits Including Percy Hynes White

Netflix's 'Wednesday' has been renewed for a second season following its success at the Golden Globes, where it received two nominations. Among these nominations was a best actress nod for Ortega. The show has also been recognized with several Emmy nominations, with one being for Outstanding Comedy Series. Production for the new season has begun in Ireland, shifting from the initial filming location in Romania.

After achieving global success on Wednesday, multiple women accused White, who portrays Xavier, of sexual assault.

On Instagram in June 2023, White addressed the accusations, stating, “Hey everyone. There’s something I need to clarify. Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. As a result, my family has been doxed, and my friends have received death threats." He continued, "Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. The rumors are false."

White, 22, expressed his frustration with the #CancelPercy trend on social media. He refuted claims of being bigoted or negligent towards safety, emphasizing that such accusations can harm victims and create distrust. White thanked those who supported him and shared accurate information, while also urging for an end to harassment towards his loved ones.

Netflix has not publicly responded to the accusations against White. We have contacted them for a comment.

Editor's P/S:

The highly anticipated second season of Netflix's "Wednesday" is underway, bringing both familiar faces and exciting new additions to the cast. While the departures of Percy Hynes White and Naomi J. Ogawa may disappoint some fans, the promotions of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo to series regulars promise a deeper exploration of their characters. The addition of esteemed actors like Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, and Noah Taylor further elevates the production's caliber.

The accusations of sexual assault against White have cast a shadow over the show's success. White's denial and expressions of frustration highlight the potential dangers of online misinformation, particularly when it involves sensitive topics like sexual assault. The silence from Netflix on the matter raises questions about their stance on such allegations and their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive work environment.