Thandiwe Newton is the latest new cast member to join “Wednesday” Season 2 at Netflix.
Variety has learned exclusively from sources that Newton will star in the second season of the megahit series. Exact character details are being kept under wraps. She is the latest new cast member to be revealed, as Variety previously reported that Steve Buscemi will also appear in Season 2.
Reps for Netflix declined to comment.
Newton has held a number of TV roles in her career, perhaps most notably starring in the HBO series “Westworld.” She received three Emmy nominations for best supporting actress in a drama for that show, winning the award in 2018. Her other TV credits include “The Slap,” “Big Mouth,” “Human Resources,” and “Rogue.” In film, Newton is known for starring in features such as “Crash,” “Beloved,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and “W.”
She is repped by WME and Independent Talent Group.
Few details are available about the new season of “Wednesday,” aside from the fact Jenna Ortega will return as the titular Addams Family daughter going through her teenage years. The first season ended with Wednesday successfully solving a series of grisly murders while also thwarting an attempt to destroy Nevermore Academy and its students.
“Wednesday” originally debuted in November 2022 and instantly became a massive hit for Netflix. It ranks as one of the most-watched shows the streamer has ever released and was nominated for 12 Emmys, winning four. Work on Season 2 was delayed due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes that shutdown much of Hollywood in 2023, though production is expected to begin in late April in Ireland.
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar created “Wednesday” and also serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Tim Burton directed the first four episodes of Season 1 and is also an executive producer on the series. Steve Stark of Toluca Pictures and Andrew Mittman of 1.21 Entertainment executive produce as well along with Kevin Miserocchi of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation, Kayla Alpert, Jonathan Glickman of Glickmania, Gail Berman, Tommy Harper, and Kevin Lafferty. MGM Television is the studio.
