Summary
The popular Netflix original show,Wednesday, faced backlash after multiple accusations of sexual assault were leveled against star Jenna Ortega’s co-star Percy Hynes White. Hynes White played Xavier Thorpe, a psychic peer of Ortega’sWednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy, and one of her two love interests.Although Hynes White denied the accusations, he was not brought back for season 2and instead, will be replaced by a slew of new characters.
In an interview withVanity Fair, Ortega briefly addressed Hynes White’s absence from season 2. She stated that although his absence has been “a weird redirect,” the upcoming episodes ofWednesday, as well asthe plethora of new characters being introduced, will effectively distract viewers from Xavier’s disappearanceand move the show in a more authentic direction.
Jenna Ortega Addresses Controversial Cast Member’s Exit Ahead Of Wednesday Season 2
Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega reveals how the absence of Percy Hynes White’s Xavier Thorpe has impacted season 2 of the popular Netflix series.
Wednesday Season 2’s New Characters Will Seemingly Make Up For Xavier’s Absence
The New Characters Include Addams Family Alums
Although plot and character details forWednesdayseason 2 are currently being kept under lock and key, co-showrunners Miles Millar and Al Gough shared withNetflixthattheir “goal this season was to discover some fresh faces […] to join Jenna [Ortega] and the gang at Nevermore.“Some of these new faces includeDoctor Whoalumnae Billie Piper as Capri, Steve Buscemi (The Big Lebowski) as Barry Dort,Joanna Lumley as Wednesday’s Grandmama Addams, and Thandiwe Newton (Westworld) as Dr. Fairburn.
That’s not all the new characters joining season 2. Along with Piper and Buscemi, the slew of new series regulars includes Evie Templeton (Return to Silent Hill), Owen Painter (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Noah Taylor (Law & Order: Organized Crime). Joining Newton as a guest star is Frances O’Connor (The Missing), Haley Joel Osment (The Kominsky Method), Heather Matarazzo (The Princess Diaries), Joonas Suotamowill (Star Wars), andAddams Familyactor Christopher Lloyd.
Why Wednesday Season 2’s Approach With Xavier’s Absence Makes Sense
It Diverts Attention To The Mysteries That Matter
The expanded cast list may seem like an odd decision, especially sinceXavier’s connection to Wednesday’s phone stalkermight encourage co-showrunners Millar and Gough to recast the role, but it is ultimately the right decision. The decision to erase Xavier’s character fromWednesdayentirelyallows the show to move away from the controversy associated with Hynes White.The addition of so many new characters would also save the writers valuable time, as it would force them to avoid spending too much time explaining Xavier’s absence.
The decision to erase Xavier’s character fromWednesdayentirely allows the show to move away from the controversy associated with Hynes White.
Wednesday Season 2’s Convincing Xavier Theory Would Be Too Repetitive To Work
One of the most popular theories about Xavier Thorpe’s character in Wednesday is very convincing, but it’s also too repetitive to work.
Additionally, Xavier’s disappearance fromWednesdaywould erase the love triangle between Wednesday, Xavier, and Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan) from the show, a factor that Ortega had previously expressed frustration over.The show’s focus on the romance did not align with Ortega’s version of Wednesday.By removing another key member of the love triangle—Tyler was revealed to beWednesday’s the Hydeand placed in police custody at the end of season 1—the love triangle is effectively dead. This will allow the show to shift its focus to Wednesday’s struggle to determine who her true allies are as she unravels the identity of her stalker.
