Wednesday is losing a cast member ahead of season 3 — but is gaining Winona Ryder after her time on Stranger Things came to an end.
Netflix confirmed on Monday, February 23, that Ryder, 54, will have a guest star role that is currently being kept under wraps. The upcoming season of the hit show reunites Ryder with Wednesday director and executive producer Tim Burton after they worked together on Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. (Ryder also shared the screen with Wednesday star Jenna Ortega in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.)
“I am so happy that Winona has joined us, she fits right into this world,” Burton, 67, said in a statement. “And she’s a dear friend. I always feel lucky to work with her.”
Creators and showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar also reacted to Ryder joining the show.
“When it comes to Outcasts, Winona Ryder is the GOAT. Her legendary partnership with Tim Burton has defined some of cinema’s most unforgettable characters,” they said in a statement. “We loved collaborating with her on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to Nevermore.”
Ryder is joining Eva Green, who was previously announced in the role of Morticia’s sister Ophelia, in season 3. The show also promoted Joanna Lumley to series regular after she was introduced as Wednesday’s (Ortega) maternal grandmother in season 2.
Wednesday is going through other changes as well, with Noah B. Taylor departing after a short-lived stint as Enid’s (Emma Myers) love interest, Bruno. He is the second love interest to be written off the show after Percy Hynes White’s exit following his scenes as Xavier in season 1.
In addition to Ortega, Wednesday also stars Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer and Moosa Mostafa. Jamie McShane, who was a series regular in the first season, was previously moved to guest star status. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo were promoted to series regulars ahead of season 2.
The sophomore season also featured appearances from Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton and Owen Painter, while Haley Joel Osment, Christopher Lloyd, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Heather Matarazzo, Joonas Suotamo and Lady Gaga scored guest star roles.
All good things must come to an end, even when it comes to TV. Over the years, many television stars have suddenly left their roles — while others have been cut from a series without much notice. Anna Faris announced in September 2020 that she was leaving CBS’ Mom after starring as the lead character […]
Viewers were introduced to a new version of the iconic Wednesday Addams character when the show premiered in November 2022. Before Ortega took over as the moody and spooky teenager, Christina Ricci famously brought the character to life in two Addams Family films, which took inspiration from the cartoons by Charles Addams.
The first season followed the titular character’s attempts to master her psychic powers at Nevermore Academy while dealing with a killing spree at the hands of a mysterious monster. Season 2 followed Wednesday returning to school after becoming the savior of Nevermore. She then prepares to save the day again after getting visions of Enid’s impending death.
Before season 2 aired in August 2025, Wednesday was renewed for another season — and a spinoff. Gough and Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria released a statement confirming that there was a Wednesday spinoff in the works, saying in July 2025, “It’s something we’re definitely noodling. There are other characters we can look at. … There’s a lot to explore in the Addams Family.”
Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix.