Tim Burton’s ‘Addams Family’ Spinoff Series ‘Wednesday’ to Premiere on Netflix

Netflix is giving iconic Addams Family member Wednesday Addams her very own show with the live action series Wednesday, a new project from director and executive producer Tim Burton, the streamer announced today. The eight-episode spinoff, which is described as a coming-of-age comedy, marks Wednesday’s first solo feature after years of films, shows and musicals including the morbid, quirky character and her spooky family.

Burton’s upcoming series is described as a “supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy,” per Netflix. “Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.”

While Burton is known for films like Edward ScissorhandsThe Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and more, Wednesday will mark his television directorial debut. Wednesday also comes from showrunners and executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar, and executive producers Andrew Mittman for 1.21, Kevin Miserocchi, Kayla Alpert, Jonathan Glickman for Glickmania, and Gail Berman.

Netflix’s Teddy Biaselli, Director, Original Series, shared the Wednesday news in a blog post today. “Whether it was the classic TV series, the brilliant movies, the recent Broadway musical or even their guest appearances on Scooby Doo — every time the Addams Family was on a screen, I was watching,” he wrote. “I loved that at every opportunity the Addams skewered so-called ‘normality.’ Their entire existence was a middle finger (attached to a disembodied hand) to the status quo. And none was more rebellious, more avant garde and more iconic than Wednesday Addams.”

He added, “When we first heard Al Gough and Miles Millar’s pitch for Wednesday we were struck, like an arrow from a crossbow, right in our hearts. They nailed the tone, the spirit and the characters, but gave us a fresh way into this story.”

While no casting news has been announced for the upcoming series, the latest actor to bring Wednesday Addams to life will join talents like Lisa Loring, who first portrayed the character in 1964; Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in 1991 and 1993; and Chloe Grace Moretz, who voiced Wednesday in the 2019 animated film The Addams Family. In total, nearly 20 actors have brought Wednesday to life on stage and on screen.