Jenna Ortega says she'll probably step away from TV after 'Wednesday'

Jenna Ortega plans to take a break from television once her run on Wednesday wraps up, Deadline reported. Deadline reported that Ortega said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that she will likely stay away from TV for a while after the Netflix series.

That does not mean the show is ending. The Hollywood Reporter noted that there has been no word that Wednesday ends with its coming third season, or that Ortega is leaving it.

Key facts

• Ortega told the podcast, as quoted by Deadline: "I think after Wednesday, I'll probably be off the TV for a while."
• Deadline reported that Netflix announced last month that filming on Wednesday Season 3 had wrapped.
• Deadline said Season 3 is set to premiere in 2027.
• The Hollywood Reporter said fans should expect season three sometime from mid to late 2027, with no date yet.
• The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ortega said she moved from show to show as a child and wants to leave room for new things.

What Ortega said

Ortega explained that her TV years started early. The Hollywood Reporter reported that she said she hopped from one show to the next as a kid and wants to make space for something new.

She also played down talk of big franchises. Deadline reported that Ortega said she has not had many conversations about franchises.

The show's success still surprises her. Deadline reported that Ortega said she remains a bit puzzled by how popular the show became.

Her comments fit a view she shared years ago. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ortega told The Sunday Times in 2023 that all she ever wanted to do is film.

Outlets have written down her podcast remarks in slightly different ways, so the exact wording varies from one report to the next.

Background

Wednesday is a major Netflix hit with a well-known team behind it. Deadline reported that Tim Burton directs the series, and Alfred Gough and Miles Millar created it and serve as showrunners.

Before the series, Ortega built a TV resume. The Hollywood Reporter noted that her earlier TV roles included Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle.

The third season brings new faces. Deadline reported that new Season 3 cast members include Eva Green as Aunt Ophelia and Winona Ryder as Tabitha, and that Joanna Lumley was promoted to series regular.

Familiar faces are coming back too. Deadline reported that returning cast members include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán and Emma Myers.

How Ortega handles fame

Ortega keeps her distance from the response to her work. Variety reported that she does not watch her own movies, read reviews or look at the box office updates her team sends.

She is also pulling back online. Variety reported that Ortega said she uses social media less and less, partly because so much of it is now low-quality AI content.

Her TV career began young. Variety reported that Ortega started on TV at age 9 on Jane the Virgin and went on to three seasons of Disney's Stuck in the Middle.

Ortega's film work

Ortega has a busy film schedule. The Hollywood Reporter reported that she is promoting Taika Waititi's Klara and the Sun, where she plays an artificial companion alongside Amy Adams. The film has had a rough start. Variety reported that Klara and the Sun had a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score and was tracking toward a box office debut around $2 million, despite a $20 million production budget.

More movies are on the way. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ortega stars in J.J. Abrams' sci-fi fantasy The Great Beyond, due Oct.

She has further projects lined up as well. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ortega is attached to a Single White Female remake in development, and that Cathy Yan's The Gallerist debuted at Sundance this year.

What it means for you

For Wednesday fans, nothing changes right now. Season 3 is finished filming, and Deadline said it is scheduled to premiere in 2027.

Ortega's comments are about her plans after the show, not a sign that it is ending. The Hollywood Reporter noted that there is no word that Season 3 will be the last or that Ortega is leaving.

It is not known whether Wednesday will continue beyond Season 3, or whether Ortega would come back if it did.

What happens next

Ortega's next movie arrives soon.

The wait for Wednesday will be longer. The Hollywood Reporter said season three is expected sometime between mid and late 2027, and no release date has been set.

FAQ

Is Wednesday ending? Netflix has not said so. The Hollywood Reporter noted there is no word that season 3 is the last.

When is season 3? Deadline said it is scheduled for 2027. No exact date has been set.

Who is new in season 3? Deadline reported that Eva Green plays Aunt Ophelia and Winona Ryder plays Tabitha.

What is Ortega doing next? The Hollywood Reporter reported that Klara and the Sun opens Friday, and The Great Beyond arrives Oct.

Who makes Wednesday? Deadline reported that Tim Burton directs, and Alfred Gough and Miles Millar created the show.

Where did Ortega make these comments? Deadline reported that she spoke on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.