Christina Ricci, 42, looks unrecognizable on new Netflix show Wednesday in actress’ return to Addams Family saga
ACTRESS Christina Ricci has returned to the Addams Family saga in the new Netflix show Wednesday.
But it's a role many fans of the series may not expect her to play.
Christina, 42, played Wednesday Addams in her breakout role in 1991's The Addams Family movie and its sequel, The Addams Family Values, in 1993.
But in the Netflix series, with acclaimed gothic and fantasy filmmaker Tim Burton at the helm, Christina's character throws fans a curveball.
At first glance, it may be hard to recognize Christina in the show, as she plays a red-headed Mrs. Thornhill, a botanical sciences teacher at Wednesday's school, The Nevermore Academy.
Additionally, Christina's character wears black-rimmed cat-eye glasses and librarian-style clothing.
READ MORE WEDNESDAY
Mrs. Thornhill, dubbed a "normie" - aka, a normal person - seems just that when her character first appears.
But it's later on in the season fans quickly realize that Christina's character is much more than a sweet and smiley teacher.
Wednesday follows the life of the sour-faced teenager and only daughter of the Addams Family.
She enrolls at her parents' former school in the hopes of mastering her emerging psychic ability - but is confronted by their past.
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The eight-episode season follows Wednesday as she attempts to solve a grisly murder that occurred in the woods outside of her new school.
A mystery monster has been attacking people around Nevermore and the neighboring town of Jericho - and Wednesday believes she can find the culprit.
Her investigation of the history of the school and its town leads to a bizarre connection to one of her family members.
Additionally, Mrs. Thornhill becomes one of the show's biggest antagonists, with a huge reveal and twist at the end of the first season.
A NEW 'DAY'
Viewers of course are finding themselves drawn to actress Jenna Ortega, 20, who plays the role seamlessly as the unblinking and devious lead character.
It's also easy to draw comparisons to Christina's previous version of Wednesday.
But on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Christina praised Jenna's work and gave her ultimate seal of approval.
"She's amazing. She's sooo good. So good, so wonderful to work with. Her Wednesday is a great modern change," Christina said.
With a string of cliffhangers in the finale, it seems producers have left the door open for the Tim Burton adaptation to continue.
Netflix has not yet officially announced whether Wednesday will return for a second season.
However, co-creator Alfred Gough said there is "definitely more to explore in the world of the Addamses."
Super fans have speculated that if it does go ahead, Wednesday series two would hit screens at the start of 2024 at the earliest.
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Wednesday is now streaming on Netflix.
