Jenna Ortega plans to take an extended hiatus from television once her run on the hit Netflix series Wednesday concludes. Speaking on the October 22 episode of Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast while promoting her theatrical release Klara and the Sun, the 24-year-old actress explained that she wants to step back from small-screen commitments to pursue new creative opportunities after spending much of her youth working on television sets.
According to Deadline, Ortega’s remarks arrived shortly after production wrapped on the third season of Wednesday in September 2026. While her comments sparked immediate discussion among viewers regarding the longevity of the supernatural mystery series, Ortega made clear that her desired break applies to her schedule following the show rather than an early exit from her signature role as Wednesday Addams.
Why Jenna Ortega Is Stepping Back From Television
During her conversation with Horowitz, Ortega was asked whether she had considered signing on for another major franchise. The Emmy-nominated performer noted that she has largely avoided those discussions, preferring to let future projects develop organically rather than locking herself into another multi-year serialized commitment.
"I actually haven’t had a lot of franchise conversations. I haven’t," Ortega said on the podcast, as reported by Yahoo Entertainment. "But what I’m meant to do will come and find me. I think after Wednesday, I’ll probably be off the TV for a while. You know, I had many years doing that. I was bouncing from show to show as a kid, this to this, and I want to leave time for new things."
Ortega’s television resume stretches back over a decade. Before portraying the gothic Addams Family daughter for director Tim Burton and showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, she built her early career through recurring and starring roles in series such as Jane the Virgin, Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle, and Netflix’s psychological thriller You. When Wednesday debuted, its massive global viewership rapidly transformed Ortega into one of Hollywood's most recognizable young leads—a sudden spike in fame that she admitted on the podcast still leaves her "a little confused" and initially "felt like some sick mind game" when audiences began recognizing her in public.
What This Means for 'Wednesday' Season 3 and Beyond
For fans of the Netflix series, the timing of Ortega’s comments requires careful distinction between her long-term career preferences and the immediate status of Wednesday. While several outlets framed her remarks as a definitive retirement from television, according to NJ.com and trade reports, Ortega used measured phrasing—stating she would "probably" take a break "for a while" after the series finishes.
Season 3 of Wednesday began filming in February 2026 and officially wrapped production in September 2026, an occasion Netflix marked by releasing a first-look image of Ortega back in costume. Deadline notes that the third season is scheduled to premiere in 2027, while Yahoo Entertainment points out that Netflix has not yet clarified whether Season 3 will serve as the show's conclusion.
The upcoming season features a deep roster of returning cast members alongside Ortega, including Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams), Luis Guzmán (Gomez Addams), Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley Addams), Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin), Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Moosa Mostafa (Eugene Ottinger), Georgie Farmer (Ajax Petropolus), Billie Piper (Isadora Capri), Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Sheriff Ritchie Santiago), Victor Dorobantu (Thing), Evie Templeton (Agnes DeMille), and Fred Armisen (Uncle Fester), with Joanna Lumley promoted to a series regular. In addition, Season 3 adds high-profile newcomers including Eva Green as Aunt Ophelia, Winona Ryder as Tabitha, Chris Sarandon, Noah Taylor, Oscar Morgan, Kennedy Moyer, Lena Headey, Andrew McCarthy, and James Lance.
A Growing Focus on Feature Films
Ortega’s desire to clear her television calendar aligns with an already busy slate of theatrical motion pictures. Her transition toward feature-length storytelling is well underway, anchored by major studio collaborations and auteur-driven projects that offer shorter production windows and greater variety than network or streaming television seasons.
Her recent press tour centered on Klara and the Sun, an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s best-selling novel directed by Taika Waititi, which opened in theaters on October 23, 2026. In the film, Ortega stars alongside Amy Adams, portraying an "Artificial Friend" robot designed to prevent loneliness. Earlier in her film career, Ortega established her box office draw through installments in the Scream franchise and her reunion with Tim Burton for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Looking ahead, Ortega is attached to multiple prominent features. According to EntertainmentNow, her upcoming big-screen work includes director Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist as well as J.J. Abrams’ science-fantasy feature The Great Beyond, which co-stars Glen Powell, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson. By stepping away from the multi-month annual filming grind of episodic television once Wednesday wraps up its run, Ortega positions herself to take on diverse film scripts without scheduling conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jenna Ortega leaving 'Wednesday' before the series ends?
No. Ortega has already completed filming for Wednesday Season 3, which wrapped production in September 2026. Her comments on the Happy Sad Confused podcast specifically referred to taking a break from television roles after her commitments to Wednesday are complete.
Has Netflix announced if 'Wednesday' Season 3 is the final season?
Netflix has not officially announced whether Season 3 will be the final chapter of Wednesday or if the series will be renewed for a fourth season. The third season is expected to debut on the streaming platform in 2027.
What movies does Jenna Ortega have coming up?
Following the October 23, 2026 theatrical release of Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, Ortega is slated to appear in J.J. Abrams’ science-fantasy movie The Great Beyond alongside Glen Powell and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist.
