Wednesday FIRST LOOK: Netflix tease Billie Piper's new role in hit gothic comedy as British actress joins the cast for its second season

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Netflix has given Wednesday fans a first look at Billie Piper in her new role on the show, in which she will star alongside Jenna Ortega.
The gothic comedy, which follows the antics of Wednesday Addams (played by Ortega), debuted on the streaming service in November 2022. It was quickly renewed for a second series in January 2023.
Now, Netflix has unveiled Billie, 42, as Isadora Capri - a captivating new character at Nevermore Academy, where she serves as the school's head of music.
Described as a former child prodigy, Isadora is brilliant, intense, and enigmatic. She takes a special interest in Wednesday's musical talents and also mentors fellow werewolf Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers).
Billie's casting adds an intriguing layer to the series, given her background in supernatural and gothic roles, notably as Brona Croft/The Bride of Frankenstein in Penny Dreadful.
The new images come after Netflix revealed the future of Wednesday beyond the upcoming series two, and fans of the chart-topping show are all saying the same thing.
The American supernatural comedy series follows Jenna, 22, as the spooky Wednesday Addams.
It is one in a series of takes over the years on The Addams Family, the eccentric fictional old-money clan, famously macabre and gothic in manner and look.
The second series of the Emmy-winning programme, executive produced and often directed by horror icon Tim Burton, 66, is set for release in August.
And now, it has been announced that not only will Wednesday be back for a third series, but a spin-off programme is currently under discussion, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Fans were delighted to hear the fate of the beloved show has been secured, taking to social media to express their excitement.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, who plays creepy matriarch Morticia Addams, posted on Instagram confirming the news: 'When Wednesday comes a better day.
'Wednesday season three. It's official... we shall return.'
One fan wrote in the comments section: 'And for many more seasons.';
'I love this because then they can start filming soon and it won't be such a long pause between seasons! Or that's the hope!'
The second series was announced in January 2023, but by the time it comes out later this year, it will have been more than two years in the making.
Other users wrote, 'Season three? Hold on!', and, 'I'm excited about this.'
Someone else added: 'I'll be gripping the sheets in agony waiting but please... don't let us wait three years again.'
Another commenter wrote: 'Shut up. Season three?! Amazing!'
One penned: 'I can't wait to see the second season, I'm waiting for it with great curiosity... and the third is already official, fantastic news!'
The first series of Wednesday follows the titular troublemaker character after she is expelled and transferred to Nevermore Academy, a school for monstrous outcasts.
Her cool, creepy manner and rebellious streak often see her in trouble and struggling to fit in.
But after she discovers she is a psychic like her mother and applies her skills to solving a local murder case, she soon finds her stride.
The programme boasts an impressive regular cast, with Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie and Narcos' Luis Guzman also starring.
They feature as Nevermore headteacher Larissa Weems and Wednesday's father, Gomez Addams, respectively.
The upcoming second series looks to be even more star-studded, with Lady Gaga, Joanna Lumley, Steve Buscemi, and Thandiwe Newton also joining the cast.
Star Jenna and director Tim also worked together on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the 2024 sequel to the original 1988 horror film starring Winona Ryder.
And they have now told all about what fans can expect from the upcoming second series and the newly announced third instalment.
Scream queen Jenna, who rose to fame in slashers Scream, X and Scream VI, was embroiled in controversy in recent months for comments she made during a podcast interview.
She said she spent her time on the show 'changing lines' and 'had to put my foot down' because 'everything I had to play did not make sense for the character'.
Jenna said she felt terrible about this and never meant it that way, simply meaning to say she improvised a lot and was permitted to.
Tim sympathised with her, feeling the comments had been interpreted in a way she had not meant.
But the pair revealed that after these events, Jenna is now a producer on the show.
Co-creator Alfred Gough, who made the show with Miles Millar, said this made sense, as she is already so involved in every part of the show, as well as giving notes on the script, in a way he praised.
Wednesday's first series pulled in a whopping 252million viewers globally, making it Netflix's biggest English-language series of all time.
Alfred has now teased a spin-off: 'It's something we're definitely noodling; there are other characters we can look at.'
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, meanwhile, added: 'There's a lot to explore in the Addams Family.'
New cast member Joanna Lumley previously told Netflix news site Tudum: 'There's always something thrilling about working for Tim Burton.
'His whole mind takes him to a different world, and the world that they've created here for Wednesday and Nevermore and the family is just intoxicating.
'It's wonderful. I get to wear many, many huge wigs, one on top of the other — and lots of quite constraining clothes, so I love it.'